23 May 2017 19:48:21
Hey ed001. Are we really looking to offload the likes of Ojo and Wilson? I personally thought they were well ahead of the likes of Trent and Woodburn. Especially Wilson, he's been great for the U21's. I get a bit down when looking forward to our youth coming through just to never see them get an opportunity.
{Ed001's Note - it depends on them, the decision will be made on them this summer. I expect Ojo to go on loan.}
24 May 2017 05:43:19
I hope Huddersfield make it into the PL and we use our relationship with them to get Ward, Ojo and perhaps even a Wilson some regular PL experience to see what they can really do.
I think what we need to do is nurture a great relationship with 2-3 clubs that we can build a strong loan system to build a pathway from u23 to PL for the rising stars. Test them in a Championship or lower level PL side, but commit to hem remaining for a year at least (in return for regular playing time) to really test them in a professional league, and then commit to them being replaced with another young star in the next season and so on.
The 2-3 sides we work with will be guaranteed 2-3 young stars a year at cheap wages/ no sign on fees, we build a testing ground for our best u23s before deciding whether to integrate into regular first team and we can loan our players with confidence knowing the situation they'll be playing in and how they'll be treated.
Klopp's relationship with Wagner is a great place to start, especially since Ward has been a successful proof of concept.
24 May 2017 07:47:56
If Wilson goes on loan it should be somewhere with a big stage like Celtic (assuming they don't get Roberts back) . I think he would thrive there and maybe make a bang in the CL. Otherwise, he and Woodburn can compete as backup to Mane/ Brandt this season. They both have the ability to play at the highest level imo.
And zimbo, I agree with what you say in principle. A policy along those lines has already started in the last 2 seasons with a preference given to creating ties with clubs in the north-east/ midlands. Hence the loan players going to Preston, Blackpool, Morecambe, Tranmere, Fleetwood, Chesterfield, Barnsley, Huddersfield, Burnley, Wigan, etc. But creating ties with 2/ 3 clubs in the same league is fraught with ethical questions and should only be done on a friendly basis, e. g. the Klopp/ Wagner love in. We (or anyone) should never do what Chelsea did to Vitesse, for example. So, although it would be of benefit to have 2/ 3 players on loan at the same club and playing a style of football we like, it's not quite as simple as all that. However, it would be nice to see a system of loans that could actually benefit a few of our youngsters year in year out. I'd suggest next season Bolton back in the Championship and Blackburn in League 1 could be good options. And c'mon Huddersfield for the Prem!
24 May 2017 12:29:48
Ojo has had an injury plagued season so hasn't really had a chance to prove himself. Wilson came back this season from a bad injury and really spent the first 6 months recovering his form during which time Woodburn seized his chance. Be interesting to see what happens over the off season.