MILLWALL RETAINED LIST 2024/25 - “WHAT’S THE POINT IN THE ACADEMY?!!

[@dustinmartin6524]

Billy Mitchell, Danny McNamara, Romain Esse all in the first team. Alex Mitchell to have discussions about his future after a fantastic loan spell. Samual Edozie and Zach Lovelace both gone onto bigger things and have/will supply the club with significant money from sell on clauses Dan the point of an academy in this modern era is to produce one player every season or two seasons to have a pathway into the first team. Any more is completely against the norm. Given the club has just said they are planning on redeveloping the pathways to try and produce more talents than the normal championship club, that was always going to mean letting most of what we have go. Almost all of those players have been around for a while now, they don’t have a pathway into the first team so we’ve let them go. And now we’ll spend quite a lot of money to bring in young talents and build a more productive academy, hence the hiring of board members known for youth identification. Will it work, only time will tell

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

Millwall's U14's just won the cup so there's good young players waiting in the wings. We have to provide them with a chance to play, but within a style of football that allows them to realize their potential. Our first team should set the playing style for all the age ranges below

[@dustinmartin6524]

@@interstellarbeatteller9306 hence the appointment of Joe Edwards. However an issue emerged of the first team simply not being able to play that brand of football and seeming disconnect between modern football and the clubs old school identity. So, we completely shake up the board and bring in Neil Harris for 2 seasons who I assume will then become the key head on the board. Get him to steady the ship, bleed through some young players and attempt to find the perfect mix: good football with room for expression that still has a high effort mentality and a physical edge. Then Harris steps up and someone new comes in who has a hell of a lot less work than Joe Edwards did to get us playing football that will allow young talent to given opportunities That’s just what I’ve read into from the last few months. Could be totally off but that’s my theory on James Berylsons plan for the club moving forward

[@LionsTv1885]

Some really good points here mate. But again with esse and Alex Mitchell it’s all just speculation. Hard facts are only Billy Mitchell and Danny Mac have played a substantial amount of time for our first team. “One player or 2 players every season or 2” it hasn’t happened?? 4 years since Billy Mitchell broke through and Danny Mac a year after during lockdown I believe

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

@@dustinmartin6524 It was madness to try implement a new style months into the season, so they should have brought Harris in straight away! He's done amazing, so I'd be happy to see him get a new contract & the specific players he needs, but I also think our youth teams are competing with teams who spend x10 what we spend, and that might be our best chance of bridging the gap between the parachute clubs. Good comments btw

[@Boxing328]

@@interstellarbeatteller9306 u14s 😂

[@peterzear]

A small club without parachute payments in this league has to produce more first team benefits from its development squads.With a rebuild/reboot underway this long term problem needs a long term solution.

[@markpureplumbers3955]

Watched loads of the U21's this year and they've been brilliant. I can't believe we've let go George Walker our captain go, Ive seen him play right back, left back and on both wings. Gutted for him, I hope he proves the club wrong.

[@michaeldunn7554]

I agree with virtually everything you said about our youngsters Dan. I do get frustrated because our youngsters seem to have acheived well in terms of reaching finals or fighting for titles but surely a club like us runs an academy to produce youngsters that will eventually make the 1st team or to sell on for decent fees. But very few are being given a real chance to step up so if we wont test them if we are fighting relegation and we wont play them if we are reaching play offs then when do they get a proper opportunity. Its just frustrating to see a fair few get released. Im sure Lions fans would like to see the odd youngster thrown in for a run of games and we understand they may not work out but surely we have to reward their many years of growth with us otherwise theyll leave bcos they cant see a future. Im all for giving more young Lions a chance rather than someone like Bryant getting back in.

[@Lee1978R]

I agree with everything you’ve said in this video Dan. The academy is either meant to enhance your squad or provide players to sell on to sustain the club. We do neither.

[@andrewroberts299]

Dan, I agree with you. Abdulmalik, Boateng, Walker, Drozd have all done well, and each deserved another years contract to use next season to integrate them into the 1st team and see how they do. If they do well, then offer them better terms, if not then get rid at the end of the season. Harris has to bring the likes of Leahy and Lawson into the 1st team this coming season, especially if we don’t have shed loads to spend on new players in the summer. Just have to hope that releasing those players doesn’t come back to bite us on the arse in a couple of seasons time. Eze anyone?

[@Boxing328]

For every Eze I can name you 10/15 others like George Alexander, Noah Chesmain, Jamie Philpott, Alfie Pavey, Kris Twardek, Tyrese Briscoe, Alfie Allen, Shaun O’Brien, Junior Tiensa, Dan Moss, Hayden Muller etc etc etc who go on to do nothing.

[@dazzledarren1271]

Leahy was awful on Friday & Lawson invisible.

[@Diggs355]

I watched the 21s the other night didn’t look good maybe a off night left back didn’t look bad

[@dazzledarren1271]

I've seen them a few times and Stephenson is quality.

[@davidfarmer4905]

We have to give mire young players a chance in the first team. It's the only way they'll develop. Only then can we see if they are good enough. Even if a few fail we may find a gem that we can sell for decent money. Never gave Olaofe a chance and so got no money for him.

[@neighbourinogaming6830]

Regardless of how good they are. The club needs a bit of business savvy. Try and offload the boys with a sell on clause, we may not get anything special when selling them but could get the money back on what we put in later down the line. You never know one of them may go onto big and better things and give us a bit of a payday. Or have a clause to have first refusal on and onward sale, so we can get them back with experience.

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

Did we actually bid for Tanga or did some Spurs podcaster guess we chucked in a bid? Millwall need to focus on free transfers & the youth academy. We can't be paying £22M in wages & losing £13M a year forever, so we need a better business model

[@chriswhite1417]

Agree with you Dan. For a club without deep pockets or a deep bench, surely we need Academy players with some experience of decent level of competition coming through. And if Academy boys are not good enough to bring them on then we need to change the Academy set up rather than just getting rid.

[@karlbracey4969]

We need more home grown players

[@MrBaldychops]

Think your right give some a chance

[@JonathanBowdery]

Dan. We should enter our u21s in the freight window papa johns trophy as an underage side like other sides do.

[@Boxing328]

We can’t. Learn the rules!!!

[@millwallontour219]

Agree Dan

[@kelliemaloney4991]

Well said Dan Neil needs to give the young players a chance can’t relying on the old age players they are not quick enough of up to the pace of the championship these days and make to many mistakes. This could be Neil’s downfall his loyalty to the older players

[@martinholland8159]

we do need to give youth a chance definitely up front as our strikers are made of glass it seems! why we brought nisbet knowing that i don't understand myself obviously I'd love him to smash it next season but it doesn't look good atm

[@garybartholomew6500]

Agree with you Dan we just do not give our academy players a chance seems to be a waste of resources if we dont actually give them a chance it is a way of bringing revenue to the club coyl

[@Boxing328]

If they’re good enough they’ll get a chance

[@sinhang007]

Murray Wallace - at his age - may be capable of converting to center back. I think he's played there before. He's left footed too so maybe a natural backup to Cooper. We now have Bryan/McNamara - Cooper/Wallace/Harding/Mitchell - Leonard/McNamara in the back with some flexibility (ex. Leonard can play center back if needed). Is that enough? Ultimately, we need GOALS. Need to see more of Emakhu and Mayor.

[@charlesstolworthy219]

And Ese

[@BlazinBlz]

I wanna see us stick with the academy, though I Do agree it's being wasted a bit, especially with just the lack of chances given, even in pointless cup matches, we'll play a EFL cup match and play our first 11, it's madness, we're not going to win it, give the kids a go, and maybe them wanting to prove themselves to, in the current case, Neil Harris, they'll pull an upset but what really pisses me off, some of the dropped balls, like Lovelace, Edozie, fine, woulda loved them to stay, but big money talks, they'll prolly make us more money if there's sell ons, we couldn't really stop either but like, there's one, who, I admit we weren't the only one to miss, he bounced around academies a bit, but how did we let Eberechi Eze fall through the gaps, in fact we were the last time to drop him before he landed at QPR where he exploded onto the scene I remember the interest around Abdulmalik, whilst his attitude may cause issues, if he rises to the top and fulfills all that hype around him at one point, that's a massive drop too hopefully Romaine gets some good chances this season, then palyers like Nino Adom-Malaki or Tom Leahy progress to be around the team too

[@jt5081]

Well said you've got the right ideas

[@davidturner7863]

I know what you mean Dan. Question I have is about the retain process. Is a two way conversation with a player? Could it be that an individual has walked away? I'm surprised Walker has gone as I know he was highly regarded by the management. I also think that being stuck in that u21's division may not be doing our young players any favours. If anyone knows the answer then please let me know.

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

Absolutely. A player can sign a full-time contract at 17 yrs old, so if that runs out, or doesn't sign a new one, he walks. The U21's are known by all major clubs, so he might have offers, as bigger clubs can just stockpile these players

[@davidturner7863]

@@interstellarbeatteller9306 Thank you for the information.

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

@@davidturner7863 I don't like to see prospects move on but hopefully we can snag a few youngsters that the premier league clubs release!

[@davidturner7863]

@@interstellarbeatteller9306 let's hope we do. Our academy teams are a joy to watch.

[@dazzledarren1271]

Abdul went to Wealdstone on loan and did nothing. How can he be worth yet another deal.

[@smellyoldsock1553]

Valid points and well made. Good video, enjoy the sun.

[@charlesstolworthy219]

We need to at least recoup some of the investment by selling to lower clubs but to do that we need them under contract

[@anthonybartlett6924]

why have we kept bryan?

[@f5l0uie40]

If he has an injury free season, he’s easily one of the best left backs in the league.

[@MadMike1963]

His crossing and free kicks are the best in our team/league even.

[@robquinn573]

He's actually got quality. Something that we lack

[@chriscowap6213]

He will play 15/20 games maximum if lucky he’s on top wages not for me he gave away some terrible goals last season at the end of his career. 💯

[@Boxing328]

He’s under contract.

[@sten-ingebkestad]

Why not change Manager right now, let Nugent have a go? He know the academy players⚽

[@MichaelLynch1]

What is the point of the academy and youth teams , if the management don't and won't bring them through, even though they have won their respective leagues outplaying and achieving whats asked of them. Surely thats what they are there for to bring through talent , what more can they do 🤔

[@Boxing328]

We’ve released a few of them not all of them.

[@alangood8190]

Could Joe Edwards help resolve the situation? This might be his niche.

[@Boxing328]

Leave off for god sake. Why would he return to manage or help us with our kids when he came from Chelsea’s academy, and got sacked from our first team. Engage your brain.

[@alangood8190]

@@Boxing328 It seems you haven't engaged yours. You've asked and answered your own questions.

[@Boxing328]

@@alangood8190 that makes zero sense. I was answering your question with rhetorical ones of my own. That’s not hard to grasp for someone with even the most limited of education.

[@alangood8190]

@@Boxing328 Yeah, whatever. I'm moving on now, bye.

[@Boxing328]

@@alangood8190 you’re not well are you. Bless. Have a nice day mate.

[@charlesstolworthy219]

I get it Dan

[@MrBaldychops]

There must be a reason why they dont sign them try and find out

[@jamescole8771]

Murray Wallace should be released

[@Boxing328]

He’s under contract

[@Chubby_T0511]

Lack of imagination from backroom staff is a big issue. All trained the same by the same schools.

[@Boxing328]

Is it? Explain how. You obviously are there for the training sessions and team meetings.

[@matthewwebber2225]

I think lack of trust in many young players is a major factor. Rowett and Harris have both commented on how they need youngsters to learn their responsibilities; for example forward players understanding their defence duties etc. Surely the development coaches should be educating and preparing the youngsters on the tactical aspects of the game before they even reach the first team.

[@interstellarbeatteller9306]

They do, but they don't face the same level of opposition at youth level, so when they play first-team the tempo increases massively. Loaning out players & having them train with the first team is maybe the best way to improve. Personally, I'd make youth wingers play as full backs & strikers play as centre-mids so they are forced into learning the dog work

[@matthewwebber2225]

@@interstellarbeatteller9306 it's not about the level they are playing at it is about the fundamentals of knowing their job(s) in and out of possession.

[@Boxing328]

@@matthewwebber2225no it definitely is about the level they play at. Can’t believe you’ve even suggested it’s not, that tells me you’ve never been anywhere close to competitive football in your own personal life.

[@matthewwebber2225]

@@Boxing328 You have missed my point, entirely. Coaching/teaching young and/or inexperienced players their roles and responsibilities before they even step foot on the pitch (at any level) is critical. That is my point. This can be done in the classroom and on the training pitch. Whether the player can cope with the demands of stepping into the first team is another thing entirely.

[@charlesstolworthy219]

We must be doing something right if they are winning development leagues against far bigger clubs

[@kelliemaloney4991]

This list shows we may not be a club with ambition keeping to many old players who will Struggle to keep up with the peace of the championship Style playing this season

[@charlesstolworthy219]

Have a great break and be safe