[St Charles Owl]

think that's down to the chairmen wanting instant success as well, resulting in the academy being pretty much non-existent (along with scouting networks, coaching staff etc) and no long term plans being in place. Up until about 4 years ago we hardly funded the academy

also, we as a group of fans don't have the patience to wait for people to come through the system. When DJ and MM pushed the academy we were told it could be 5/6 years before we see any players come through, it's only been 3 and, regularly, I see people argue that the academy is a waste of time, we don't see any benefits and we should stop funding it

I wasn't referring to the Academy. I think that will do fine for us given time.

I was referring to young players after they hit the first team, they rarely improve. Look at Wood, Spurr, Beevers & McCallister. None of them continued to develop after they became first team regulars. All players should be given personal improvement targets and developed so they improve each season. For example, it was obvious that Spurr had no right foot when he hit the first team. Three years later, his right foot was no better. We need coaches that work on improving our first team players or else Palmer will fade away in a year or two.

While I agree with what you say MS, not sure those examples really fit as none of those players really went on  to anything better after they left us!!  I think our main problem has been the  inability to attract enough quality players, particularly youngsters first because until MM bought us we had a bad academy and a non-existant scouting network.  Most young players were either local lads or fell into our lap from somewhere.  Now we have a much better set up I would hope we can cast our net wider and with new owners we should be a more attractive proposition for younger players.