To revert to the main topic of this thread, the release of the lads on the one-year 'development professional' contracts.
My view is that the released lads should try to follow the 'Isaac Vassell model'.
Isaac was also released at the age of 19. He then worked away at Truro for two years solid, learning the game at a decent non-League level (i.e. higher than SWPL) and maturing physically.
Then, last summer, he opted to try to establish himself at a higher level, having trials at Torquay in pre-season.
However, just as he was about to sign for the Gulls, he had the chance to trial at Luton. Their manager, Nathan Jones, liked what he saw, sufficiently to offer him a contract, commenting that after six months in their Reserve team, Isaac should have learned sufficient to be able to play in the League - and so it has proved!
What Luton possess (which Argyle don't) is a proper Reserve team. Exeter City also have a proper Reserve team.
In my view it's time, with the upturn in finances at Home Park, for Argyle to enter a team in the EFL Central League (South & West Division? I think the other teams in that competition are the likes of Barnet, Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Exeter, Newport, Swindon, and Wimbledon. I am sure that participation in this competition would accelerate the progress of Argyle's apprentices and other Academy products.
My view is that the released lads should try to follow the 'Isaac Vassell model'.
Isaac was also released at the age of 19. He then worked away at Truro for two years solid, learning the game at a decent non-League level (i.e. higher than SWPL) and maturing physically.
Then, last summer, he opted to try to establish himself at a higher level, having trials at Torquay in pre-season.
However, just as he was about to sign for the Gulls, he had the chance to trial at Luton. Their manager, Nathan Jones, liked what he saw, sufficiently to offer him a contract, commenting that after six months in their Reserve team, Isaac should have learned sufficient to be able to play in the League - and so it has proved!
What Luton possess (which Argyle don't) is a proper Reserve team. Exeter City also have a proper Reserve team.
In my view it's time, with the upturn in finances at Home Park, for Argyle to enter a team in the EFL Central League (South & West Division? I think the other teams in that competition are the likes of Barnet, Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Exeter, Newport, Swindon, and Wimbledon. I am sure that participation in this competition would accelerate the progress of Argyle's apprentices and other Academy products.