[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=38031.msg1018766#msg1018766 date=1261342956]
[quote author=keniget link=topic=38031.msg1018761#msg1018761 date=1261342462]
Cole and Lampard fall into the Defoe category as they were hardly plucked out of obscurity at the age of 17. And what's more, they were building at the time, as City are now.
United have done well out of their youth setup in recent years but the reward has largely been financial. Thus far the players Ferguson has earmarked as replacements for the old guard have all been rather expensive imports. It's also worth noting that Ferguson's most successful punt came from Portugal.
[/quote]I agree to a degree, and (childish alert) I don't fucking care. I want to sign some up and coming British players. I'm sick of up and coming foreign shite.
That said i'd take some up and coming foreign players that aren't dogmuck. If we can't get Moses, Delphs, lennons etc then maybe we could get some kerlons, patos, higauins, kerrisons etc
[/quote]
There's no denying we've missed opportunities in the past, particularly under Houllier, pumping money on foreign youngsters. But I'd wager if we were to fork out £6m-£10m NOW on a young English player from the lower leagues, most on here would be fucking livid. It's about timing and finances, and that hasn't always been a luxury we've been able to afford. Like the ever illusive last piece of the jigsaw, that's always been an issue when money has been available, first and foremost people want to see improvement on the first team.
Arsenal have always had that policy (for young playes), and ultimately they've won nothing in recent years. I know they're having a good season so far, and generally look a good, young footballing side, but anyway. That's just their policy. Spurs have always had the money to do the same, without really being equipped to nurture such talent to it's full potential. We've been in a situation of late where it's been imperative to pay £20m for more established players that would improve the first team here and now.
The only criticism we can make is that instead of spending £9m on Babel, £7m on Dossena etc we could perhaps have taken equal risk on one of these lads. Regards Milner, I'd have him, he's versatile and a steady Eddie, but it's taken a few years for him to settle and find consistency. Right now though, I wish we'd kept Danny Murphy, Crouch and Bellamy, but situation and the players needs themselves came into play. Hindsight and all that.