Quote: Jake the Peg "Armstrong was going to be the next big thing wasn't he? International captain at his age group, courted by the aussies. Not ever player will make it but why do so many more make it at wigan than us?'" Youth age-group success is not that a great indicator of who’ll make it in SL. Even at Wigan a high proportion don’t make it. Here are the youth England squads from 2015, as an example. It’s the same story every year though. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/en ... d-for-2015 Questioning youth development systems… well, it’s an emotive subject and a lot of fans have sunk a lot of hope into, and are generally pretty to reluctant to write off that investment. It’s bound to come good eventually - it stands to reason, surely.

Quote: Jake the Peg "Armstrong was going to be the next big thing wasn't he? International captain at his age group, courted by the aussies. Not ever player will make it but why do so many more make it at wigan than us?'" Youth age-group success is not that a great indicator of who’ll make it in SL. Even at Wigan a high proportion don’t make it. Here are the youth England squads from 2015, as an example. It’s the same story every year though. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/en ... d-for-2015 Questioning youth development systems… well, it’s an emotive subject and a lot of fans have sunk a lot of hope into, and are generally pretty to reluctant to write off that investment. It’s bound to come good eventually - it stands to reason, surely.

Its why i said the idea the club seem to be bankling on of having five or six of the clubs younger players ready to take over as regular first team players in two or three years time is flawed.
cant see anything exciting from the forwards we have seen and its too early to make a decision on Moy or Charles although out of the two then probably Moy is ahead in potential
The two wings look to be able to progress as regular S/L players but whilst its important to have a youth set up it will never be a conveyor belt to produce a team of home grown talent

A massive improvement but amazed Grix is still there.This is his 2nd and last year so hope it’s not re-newer as just doesn’t do it for me.

My personal opinion on this is that it's as much about the environment that the clubs have as it is about the younger players ability to step up. Teams like Wigan are pretty much constantly up at the right end of the table. When you are in that kind of position, teams can afford to take their time and nurture them with a game here and there. Those young players aren't under a lot of pressure and they're going into teams full of confidence with senior players around to protect them and guide them.

We are never consistently in that kind of position. And when we do get into those positions, we tend to have a habit of sticking with winning formulas resulting in pathways been blocked for our youngsters. In recent times we are more inclined to give youngsters chances when the team is under pressure or when the injuries are mounting. We throw them in at the deep end and see whether they sink or swim. For me, a player is more likely to sink in that kind of scenario unfortunately.

It's only a few seconds of a clip, but Abdull looks alot trimmer on one of the clubs Instagram videos

Just seen the clips of abdull and he looks like a different guy from last season, fair play to him.

Was just about to post saying that

Yeah Abdull looks like he's done some work - and with 10 weeks of pre season he could start in pretty good shape. Balmforth looks in very good shape too

Gaffer strikes me as the optimistic type, given that he’s wearing shorts in November.

Saw him at the gym yesterday and he has lost some weight. Squad numbers have been handed out already too.

Had heard Barron has been given number 2 shirt for next season and Briscoe the 5

Good news. A slimmed down, fully fit Abdull will an upgrade on what we had last year.

A fit and firing Abdull is one of the best halves in the league but it's keeping him fit and firing thats been the problem for most of the clubs he's been at. Hopefully he'll have a great season and prove any doubters wrong.

Think it's harsh on Martin if he's not been rewarded with the 2 or 5 shirt next season. Suppose it's only a number.....

Definitely! Thought he was one of the few stand outs last season. To come in at such a young age and play most of the season whilst never really looking out of place is a real credit to him. Be very surprised if he doesn't finish the season as a first choice winger, even if he doesn't start that way.