by RoyalJones »
25 Jul 2018 17:35
Hound Experienced and youngish back up/competition. The youngsters can have a season at a decent league club and come back next ear and challenge for the #1 spot (and I reckon Mannone will go back to Italy at some point soon). On a free. Why is that farcical?
Just doesn't send out the best message to our academy players when we're signing a goalkeeper who hasn't played at a level higher than League One (correct me if i'm wrong) to be above them in the pecking order. If we loaned out two and kept one for the U23s as well as seeing Jaakkola go at the end of next season, I would understand, but even then no academy graduate would be above third choice, if both Mannone and Walker stay, maybe Mannone will go back to Italy and Walker hasn't signed just yet however. Maybe i'm too obsessed with the academy, but I just really want to see players like Southwood, who has been capped at youth international level, given a good chance. Would rather see one of Southwood/Legg/Ward as understudy this season, where they could benefit from it even more than a loan spell in a lower division. We have so many good academy goalkeepers, would love to see that utilised. Seeing us giving Richards a chance last season, and Kelly the year before, personally made me quite happy, but again, maybe i'm too obsessed with the academy.