MarkMatthews":3d03d5v8 said:
Green Army 2000":3d03d5v8 said:
MarkMatthews":3d03d5v8 said:
jimmying":3d03d5v8 said:
I
expect 9/10 years down the line what we have coming through will be nowhere near as good as Exeter and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few Plymothians come through their set up.
I'm very careful in not wishing an ounce of blame on Kevin Hodges or John James et al.
I hope the lads at Argyle doing apprenticeships recognise, Harry is there on merit and is his own man. We as fans have a responsibility to not single out looking how is doing either just because of his name, let him make his own name. Whilst it would have been preferable for both Kevin and Harry to be at different clubs, can you imagine the PR if Harry had gone to another club?!
I agree long term, even as an ardent fan of PAFC, if I had a lad between 9-15 I would be trying to get them in Exeter's set up. Nothing to do with the academy or the personnel within it, just because of the two clubs contrasting attitudes post 18.
My brothers mate has just been taken on as an apprentice by Exeter and I know the family of a current Argyle U15 academy player. Talking to them the difference between the academies is vast. Exeter do loads of video analysis, classroom sessions before and after games, tactical sessions in the classroom where every players role in various systems is explained etc etc ... We don't.
Ethan Ampidou who played for Wales U17 as an U15 and has first team appearances this season as a 15 year old has just singed for them. Apparently Arsenal Man Utd and Chelsea are interested and his dad is part of the Arsenal youth set up as a coach. Do you think his dad would let him stay at Exeter if he didn't think their set up was spot on???? The fact Ethans dad thinks Exeter is the best place for him says it all.
I would ask you a simple question Mark, Do you think the four development players just released by Argyle would have been better players had they been through the Exeter system since U12?????
The answer is clearly yes and I totally disagree with your last statement above. Although the contrasting attitudes post 18 is correct, it is exactly the personnel and training methods and techniques from U8 to u18 which is why Exeter are producing better players. They do not suddenly get to U18 and drop off - it is the work that goes in from an early age.
I have no doubt Kevin Hodges is very hard working and a dedicated employee. He was undoubtedly one of our greatest ever players. He was also undoubtedly manager of one of our worst ever teams.........
We all appear to be agreeing that our academy needs massive improvement, then why do you not attach one ounce of blame to Kevin??? He is the Academy Manager - so who else is responsible???? This and your defence of Harry Hodges does make me wonder if you are actually Harrys mum!!!
I do not understand where the sudden reference to Harry has come from because no one has mentioned him on this thread. He is in a very difficult position and you quite rightly say there would be uproar if he made it at another club. Until he is offered a pro contract there will be questions from certain people because his dad is the one who says who does or does not make it as an apprentice. I've heard he is a lovely lad and that Kevin is particularly harsh on him in front of the other lads. I wish him luck and hope he does become as good a player for us as his dad was.