Pardew’s policy on the bairns
Posted on March 9th, 2011 | 51 Comments |
I like discussions about the youngsters and tried recently to get you all interested in it via that Italian tournament. Which you all promptly ignored!
Anyway, let’s begin with what Pardew said:
“I think that depends on the results.
“We’ve still got a bit of work to do, to make sure we’re safe and we want to finish as high as we can.
“But I won’t hesitate with Ferguson like I did at the start of the Everton game, because I can see he will be very buoyed by his performance for us.
“That’s good for us moving forward and it might even be good in terms of the next game, because if José doesn’t make it, he will definitely come into contention for starting the game.
“I was genuinely impressed with the little cameo he had against Everton. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t put him on earlier.”
“I see one or two young players who could do something.
“Tavernier out at Gateshead is doing particularly well. I’d like to think that over the summer there are one or two youth team or development team players pushing to be in next season’s squad.
“You hope they will make an impact and that will save us a lot of money and help add a good feeling to the club.”
I guess any ‘philosphy’ re the bairns has to be about balance. We want them in, but we don’t want to put them in a situation where some team takes us apart and hits their confidence.
I do worry that we kind of lose sight of them under different managers, with each coming in with their own ‘policy on youth’.
Pardew has a good point about the youngsters saving us money too. Look at Carroll? Cost £0! And, all arguments aside about Carroll, Ashley etc., that’s good business if a club can keep doing it.
Anyway, have a good day folks. I’m off to steal my wife’s chair.
I think that opening quote shows that AP’s intention is to get safe, then use the rest of the games to try out new players and ideas. It won’t be the most exciting run of games, but it is the sensible option compared to going all-out for 6th against all the odds.
The latter, at best, could land us with a pile more games but no new options for the squad to play them. AP’s approach moves us forward and proves the club means what they say about bringing through the young talent.