[Slick_Footwork]

It seems post after post that people are complaining that Pulis hasn't 'played the kids' at the end of the season...

Has it occurred to these posters that the kids might not be ready yet?

Or might not be good enough... ever?

Field played a few games and IMO, didn't look ready.

This is professional football that we're talking about.

We earn money by finishing higher in the league and owe it to our peers to pick the strongest side that we can. We had a duty to try and get a result off Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Burnley and so on. It wasn't really fair on other sides to start throwing players in who probably aren't good enough.

Now I appreciate that 'in hindsight', we might as well as well have played the kids in the games that we lost. But Pulis doesn't have the gift of hindsight when he's picking his XI. He has to pick his best side, whether players are 33 or 17...

Most games at the end of the season had something riding on them. IMO it's completely unfair criticism to moan that Pulis isn't blooding youngsters in games that can decide titles, Champions League positions and so on. With the exception of the Swansea game, almost every game had something riding on it. These was a fine line between a loss and a draw in the Chelsea and Liverpool games...

I'm as dissatisfied with our end of season form as anyone else, but personally happy that Pulis picked what he deemed was the best side and at least attempted to play his part in important games. We really tried to stop Chelsea winning the title and got beat by a better team in the dying embers. Our result against Arsenal, with our best XI, was key to Liverpool securing the Champions League spot.

The kids can get the chance IF AND WHEN they are good enough. I personally don't want to see players playing before they are ready.

[BaggieSteve]

I agree with you, Slick, that youngsters should not be selected if they are not ready. However, it was Pulis who singled out Sam Field for praise in his handful of appearances at end of this season, whilst Leko received plenty of plaudits for his performances at the end of last season, although he barely figured this season.

The impression that Pulis gives is one of extreme caution and conservatism when it comes to football (I've no idea what his politics are); the way he sets the team up, the style we play and, by and large, the players he recruits. The expectation he voices is one of "don't expect a lot from us, we don't have much in the way of resources". Unsurprisingly, therefore, he clearly doesn't like to take a punt on inexperienced players when he he has older players available. My problem with that is what you alluded to in your post, namely that, if these more experienced players are not performing - and they failed to spectacularly- then why not play the younger talent. Were they ready? Well, unless we play them, we'll never know. When Matty Phillips' injury ruled him out of the last few games of the season, it was crying out for Leko to play and provide some pace & width but, instead, we had a midfield that included Fletcher, Yacob and Livermore together with those ageing stalwarts Brunt and Morrison.

I don't know what his record was like in bringing young players through at Stoke but they never struck me as a team who encouraged this. Perhaps someone could enlighten us.

[Slick_Footwork]

I agree with you, Slick, that youngsters should not be selected if they are not ready. However, it was Pulis who singled out Sam Field for praise in his handful of appearances at end of this season, whilst Leko received plenty of plaudits for his performances at the end of last season, although he barely figured this season.

The impression that Pulis gives is one of extreme caution and conservatism when it comes to football (I've no idea what his politics are); the way he sets the team up, the style we play and, by and large, the players he recruits. The expectation he voices is one of "don't expect a lot from us, we don't have much in the way of resources". Unsurprisingly, therefore, he clearly doesn't like to take a punt on inexperienced players when he he has older players available. My problem with that is what you alluded to in your post, namely that, if these more experienced players are not performing - and they failed to spectacularly- then why not play the younger talent. Were they ready? Well, unless we play them, we'll never know. When Matty Phillips' injury ruled him out of the last few games of the season, it was crying out for Leko to play and provide some pace & width but, instead, we had a midfield that included Fletcher, Yacob and Livermore together with those ageing stalwarts Brunt and Morrison.

I don't know what his record was like in bringing young players through at Stoke but they never struck me as a team who encouraged this. Perhaps someone could enlighten us.

From a personal point of view, I was gutted not to see more of Leko because I agree he did look promising last season.

Although, this year we have far more strength in this positions with Chadli and Phillips, and McClean much improved. In addition, Alan Nyom coming in has meant that Brunt has rarely had to be used at left back. Collectively, this has lead to Leko not featuring much. As frustrating as that is, it's something that is understandable. Leko also cost us a goal against Palace in one of his last appearances, which I think set him back a little bit.

Of course, when Pulis picks one of the old heads and they play a shocker, you do think 'I wish he picked Leko'. But of course, Pulis hasn't got the luxury of knowing how well people will perform when he decides his best XI. Leko is also still very young having just turned 18 and Pulis probably wants to blood him slowly to keep his feet on the ground.

Pulis gave Field a chance in front of some of the older guys, including Fletcher and Mozza, but it didn't really work out. I think he did all he could under the circumstances and am surprised the fans are slagging him off for picking what is probably our best team most of the time.

[aries22]

Of course, when Pulis picks one of the old heads and they play a shocker, you do think 'I wish he picked Leko'. But of course, Pulis hasn't got the luxury of knowing how well people will perform when he decides his best XI. Leko is also still very young having just turned 18 and Pulis probably wants to blood him slowly to keep his feet on the ground.
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I think that's bang on the money, Slick. I've never advocated playing Leko at all.

[Sir Megson]

My thoughts are that this current crop of youngsters are decent, but I can't honestly see them making the step up to be playing regular Premier League football for us or another side.

Get em out on loan and let's see what they can do lower down the leagues. Honestly don't see how we can judge them seeing them play so little football.

[aries22]

My thoughts are that this current crop of youngsters are decent, but I can't honestly see them making the step up to be playing regular Premier League football for us or another side.

Get em out on loan and let's see what they can do lower down the leagues. Honestly don't see how we can judge them seeing them play so little football.

Isaiah Brown has just spent the season at Huddersfield Town and they play Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship play-off final next weekend. I don't think he will ever make it at Chelsea. It might be worth considering bringing him back, but the Championship might be his level, like Chris Wood and Kemar Roofe at Leeds. What a shame Brown went to Chelsea in the first place, but whilst there he has won the FA Youth Cup twice and, I think, an England Under-17 European championship title. And he's still only 20. Actually, I think it would definitely be worth bringing him back!

[St Charles Owl]

My thoughts are that this current crop of youngsters are decent, but I can't honestly see them making the step up to be playing regular Premier League football for us or another side.

Get em out on loan and let's see what they can do lower down the leagues. Honestly don't see how we can judge them seeing them play so little football.

Isaiah Brown has just spent the season at Huddersfield Town and they play Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship play-off final next weekend. I don't think he will ever make it at Chelsea. It might be worth considering bringing him back, but the Championship might be his level, like Chris Wood and Kemar Roofe at Leeds. What a shame Brown went to Chelsea in the first place, but whilst there he has won the FA Youth Cup twice and, I think, an England Under-17 European championship title. And he's still only 20. Actually, I think it would definitely be worth bringing him back!

God I wish they were playing us the playoff final, that loss on penalties is still hurting!! They are actually playing Reading!!