We are half way in to the academy season.... Do we feel that the Joint Academy is now beginning to work, would we benefit by running an under 23's side alongside it..... If so do we have enough players of the right standard to compliment such a team?

We won't know whether it works properly until the ring fenced youngsters have all 'graduated' from it, and the 'shared' players start maturing into SL players - which could be a good 5/6 years away.

I'd hope Pearson realises it's a load of cack long before we get to that point though.

I doubt Pearson will be around in 5 years to see it, he's bound to get itchy feet again and go back to his first love of football before long

Maybe so. I don't know him as well as you do. In that case, hopefully his successor will see it for what it is.

Talking about accadamy I heard Reece Dean has signed for Rovers can anyone confirm it I know it's old news but this was A definate quote

I've heard that the Dean rumour is true, and a 4 year deal, and this allegedly came from an FC player, but I heard it third or fourth hand.

At this point in time, the academy does seem to be working, the u19's thumped Cumbria on Saturday and beat Leeds before that. But as has been said the test will be once the current u16's have passed through and the ring fencing ends.

Somewhat contradictory statements, do you want to try again?

I heard it's a 4 year deal, 100k and a gold plated Vauxhall Corsa. How could he refuse after we threw in a bag of pick n mix?

I heard this ever since Pearson bought Hull from Rovers fans, he is now in his 4th season, he has done a fantastic job since taking over at Hull and all his money and hard work is now starting to pay off, I expect him to be around for a few more years yet.

On topic, we should have separate academies and the share a reserved team, this would make much more sense IMO.

Must have missed the whip round we had to buy fc, can't belive we sold them to Pearson, should have seen if David lloyd wanted back in

It would but I imagine it would be a lot harder to coach and manage. Who would get the call on a 'recovering' players game minutes and if say two players need game time in the same position who would dictate.

From watching the academy and the FC under 23's they seems to be a myriad of talent within the system at the moment, several called up for the England Academy and I am sure some older players will get in the next England Knights squad. How many of these players are destined for Super League though when we are still importing from the Southern Hemisphere????

Itchy feet again?

He's never walked away from FC, he's here for the long term. Certainly longer than Mr Hudgell.

Remind me how long Hudgell has been at Rovers?