Warrington Wolves • Re: Props
Youth development only gets you so far though, in my opinion.
We have invested fortunes in this area already, John Bastian, Phil Jones, Pete Riding all being bought in from successful systems. Pete Farrell and a whole network of scouts searching the country for talent.
All of this has seen players brought in to the arena of first team squads, to see some minutes thrown their way then moved on or, worse still, kept hold of without playing opportunities long enough for their career to fail.
This isn’t a poke at Powell, but at him, Price and Smith. Look back at Saltonstall who was kept out by signings like Wheeler. Jack Johnson, Will Dagger and now Josh Thewlis all being the heir apparent for the fullback spot, yet we go out and sign Mamo (I purposely won’t add Dufty, as he is a top-level player, not someone that is just a squad filler). Players like Pat Moran and Ellis Robson behind Lama Tasi and Sita. Even now, Ratchford is clogging the way for Dean and Hayes.
There are players at the level to get into the first team squad, and the argument will be that these players aren’t ready. But nobody is ever ready until you put them in and trust them.
Some will fall flat on their face, some will rise to the challenge. But if we don’t put them in, and keep them in, the whole process is null and void, regardless of who you have as head of youth, 16’s coach, 19’s coach etc.
We need to change the culture of the club, buying in, and grow from within.
We have invested fortunes in this area already, John Bastian, Phil Jones, Pete Riding all being bought in from successful systems. Pete Farrell and a whole network of scouts searching the country for talent.
All of this has seen players brought in to the arena of first team squads, to see some minutes thrown their way then moved on or, worse still, kept hold of without playing opportunities long enough for their career to fail.
This isn’t a poke at Powell, but at him, Price and Smith. Look back at Saltonstall who was kept out by signings like Wheeler. Jack Johnson, Will Dagger and now Josh Thewlis all being the heir apparent for the fullback spot, yet we go out and sign Mamo (I purposely won’t add Dufty, as he is a top-level player, not someone that is just a squad filler). Players like Pat Moran and Ellis Robson behind Lama Tasi and Sita. Even now, Ratchford is clogging the way for Dean and Hayes.
There are players at the level to get into the first team squad, and the argument will be that these players aren’t ready. But nobody is ever ready until you put them in and trust them.
Some will fall flat on their face, some will rise to the challenge. But if we don’t put them in, and keep them in, the whole process is null and void, regardless of who you have as head of youth, 16’s coach, 19’s coach etc.
We need to change the culture of the club, buying in, and grow from within.
Statistics: Posted by Barbed Wire — Fri Oct 14, 2022 2:43 pm