arthpafc":1rkjhrqd said:
MarkMatthews":1rkjhrqd said:
Pele10":1rkjhrqd said:
Should it say pro-development?
My understanding is they have dropped that title but it is that in all but name.
Bored off mark, it's not is it...
THE fresh injection of talent into Argyleās professional ranks has continued, with young defender Harry Hodges signing his first senior contract.
Harry is one of five of last seasonās Academy Under-18s to have been offered pro terms by the club, alongside Luke Jephcott, Ryan Law and Cameron Sangster, with goalkeeper Michael Cooper having already signed a two-year deal.
And why was Mike Coopers deal announced months before the others? Iām sure his is what would be considered a professional offer as we would understand it to be.
Letās see if Harry Hodges and the other 2nd year apprentices receive squad numbers. (The last year before Development Professional contracts came into being,) BOTH players in Callum Hall and Louis Rooney were registered with squad numbers from the off, since PD have come in it has been on a as and when needed basis. As far as Iām concerned if they donāt have squad numbers from the start then they arenāt truly on professional contracts, as we would understand the term of āfirst year professional.ā
We are aware they will train with a designated coach, so completely separate from the first team. As has been the case the last two seasons that DPs have been in. Only now, they may actually be more likely to lose the commitment of training with the first team once a week.
They will play in the Central League and the SWPL, like the development professionals have been, they have been entered in something like two new reserve cup competitions?! Which of course, could mean as much as two extra games, they arenāt even guaranteed to play in given, how many squad players we have signed who will need āfitness.ā
I fail to see what is new and improved about these deals and I fully expect all the second year apprentices to sign them, I support that, they have to exasperate every opportunity of making it they get. On the other hand; Batts, Rooney, Fletch, Bentley, I respect their individual circumstances and will understand, respect and support their decisions either way.
With regards to Harry Hodges, he is his own man, I believe he is there on merit and I think his surname will be more of a hindrance than a help, itās even unfair to hope he Evan does āhalf as well as his dad.ā To even do that he would have to go on to be the best player we have produced this millennium! He has just got to do his best to make football pay the bills for as long as possible.
Now he is here he has my full backing, I really want to see him make it, break in to the first team and become a first team regular and a club legend, however the lack of positive reports, some where on about. I donāt think itās a case of no one thinking he canāt make it, itās just a case of (and I personally, believe) that Bill Palfrey and (in particular,) Sam Ryan were both better and more exciting RBs to watch. That said I certainly donāt think Harry is any worse than Mason Hughes, who as far as Iām aware had no connections at the club, therefore I believe Harry is there on merit and has hit good timing coming out of his apprenticeship with what they are looking at first team positions.
That said I would be very surprised if we see these boys getting even the limited chances those on āproperā professional contracts got, such as River Allen, Aaron Bentley and Louis Rooney got. I expect they will be more on the Miller, Steer, Palfrey and Calver path. Hope Iām wrong but I wonāt hold my breath.