A kick up the ?

More like a kick in the teeth, IMO. He was actively talking about recruiting players of that age, what does that tell the ones we have?

Like I say, I'm not saying he's wrong in what he's saying, I'm just questioning the wisdom in saying it publicly.

Thats were I lost his meaning, signing players to cover the missing u18's would be pointless as not many are ready for sl at that age.

Now if he's talking about players to act as first team cover then 19-23 would be the age group.

That's why I think he was being harsh, as he wasn't (or at least didn't seem to me as if he was) simply saying that they aren't good enough now and that we don't have the fringe players capable of coming in, he was pretty much saying that most of the players in our 18s [iwill never be[/i good enough. That is quite a big thing to be making public IMO, and pretty unfair on them to do so. And the concern that I keep coming back to is that in a year or 18 months or so's time, if we haven't 'plugged the gap' as he says, we may need some of these to do a job for a few games at a time. After hearing these comments they may think they'd have a better chance at a new club now anyway, and such is the nature of sport that the better ones will find alternatives easier, so we could end up even more threadbare at that age group than he already thinks we are now.

Should this not be on the AP talks to humberside thread ?

Any way back to rumours .... Is benji still coming ?

Was told yesterday the Broughy deal was done, still don't believe it.

After it being rubbished by McRae a couple of months back, I refuse to believe it. Things change, though, and I hope it comes off.

Is Brough the new Sculthorpe? Maybe someone should take a trip to DeVries Honda and check if they've got his new car in stock.

It would be if he had said it but unless my version was edited I really think that is one hell of an extrapolation of what was actually said.

it's AP's train set, it's refreshing to have some honesty.

Not every age group throws up the same level of talent. AP believes the 16s are a special group and is shouting about it, nothing wrong with that, and they may be getting special attention too.
The players in the 18s who felt they needed to improve have just had a firecracker put up them from the big boss and now the whole group will or should respond to that.
The 20s have already been cherry picked and now only late developers will have a future (if at all). Thats the deal, theres no guarantees and never can be, and its talent/potential related. Its hard but either your in or your out based on that criteria. If a player who was "average" can suddenly start performing then I'm sure he too will be ring fenced, its always in the players hands.
APs total honesty is unusual however I find it refreshing, and at least we and his staff know where we are and we just have to get used to it. personally I really like his open and honest approach. He's not closed the door on any individual but he has given all individuals in the 18s something to think about.

Have you seen the 18's play? They are shocking.

Rich Wilkinson/James Cunningham are the only ones worth keeping.

Rich Wilkinson plays for the 20's now, and only plays for the 18's when the 20's aren't playing.