[Bullseye]

: Fri May 22, 2009 3:44 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

No it isn't, look at Wigan 2008 for instance. Or teams like Man City, Leeds Utd., even our good friends at VP. No doubt it's a very helpful factor.

Those clubs don't suffer from the same level of supporter apathy as Bradford. Without a successful team I can only see us mirroring the levels of support at Hudders at best, they too have a smart new ground yet it's not meant they've pulled in regular 5 figure crowds. Good marketing and a successful side are key, I'd say that we, more than most, need a side that's finishing in the top 4 at least.

...and I can't see that happening until our academy lads are starting to come through, that's some years off yet.

That's because our best prospects seem to be aged 16-19 and are some way off first team selection. Sure some will progress quicker than others but it'll be a few years before any make it through. At best we can hope for two first teamers to come through each year but that's in a good year.

...I just hope we've a club left when they're ready.

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Sure. There are ways to promote a feelgood factor at any club, regardless of results. Perceived performance being one of them. In terms of doing the right things to keep the faithful happy, we are failing badly and that's why many are disenchanted. They see some players apparently not being arrsed, and then they read written admissions from players in the press that indeed this is the case.

If for example we were exactly where we are now in the league, but had ONLY played the entire Academy/Reserves throughout and they had, to a man, tried their bollox off, then I reckon many of the disgruntled would appreciate this, and the majority would be fairly gruntled. Just my own POV, but the combination of things are seriously peeing a lot of fans off, and it could be avoided is my point even if we aren't winning everything.

A slogan I've seen on info coming out of the club lately is "building for the future". I reckon the club needs to really start peddling this line a bit more and perhaps be a bit more bullish about the future. I agree totally with your analysis in the two paragraphs above.

redeverready wrote:

That's a massive gamble to put all your hopes on a bunch of kids who might not make it is a bit silly.

I'm happier seeing the club invest in the juniors more as if you look at Leeds it's clearly the path to ensure a sustainable long term future. The key is to find a balance so the current first team isn't allowed to wither on the vine too much. That's my main concern, that we're over concentrating on juniors to the detriment of the first team. Top players have been replaced by average ones and we're reaping the "rewards" of this strategy. Ideally we want to bring our youngsters into a fairly good 1st team enviroment and we obviously don't have that at the moment, it's a worry.

: Fri May 22, 2009 3:53 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

...
I'm happier seeing the club invest in the juniors more as if you look at Leeds it's clearly the path to ensure a sustainable long term future. The key is to find a balance so the current first team isn't allowed to wither on the vine too much. That's my main concern, that we're over concentrating on juniors to the detriment of the first team. Top players have been replaced by average ones and we're reaping the "rewards" of this strategy. Ideally we want to bring our youngsters into a fairly good 1st team enviroment and we obviously don't have that at the moment, it's a worry.

The thing is though, why not? Reverting back to that old chestnut, on paper, it should be amonst the best environments, shouldn't it? As I understand it, our whole setup is (apparently) one of the best and most attractive for the top young names to sign for, (however much anyone might sneer at that, the proof is in the signatures). And when you have the likes of Menzies, Morrison, Newton, Lynch to mentor you? I agree it's a worry, I'm just struggling to understand why.

And now, the M62 beckons.

I may be some time.

[Bullseye]

: Fri May 22, 2009 3:56 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

The thing is though, why not?

As mere fans I doubt we'll ever know for sure, we can only speculate.

And now the Leeds to Skipton train beckons!

I'll sithee!

: Fri May 22, 2009 4:13 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

A slogan I've seen on info coming out of the club lately is "building for the future". I reckon the club needs to really start peddling this line a bit more and perhaps be a bit more bullish about the future.

Yep, I keep coming across this too. And I agree, lets shout about how and why we're building for the future.

Do we have a 2 year plan, 5 year plan?
I hope and suspect so.

: Fri May 22, 2009 10:36 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

The thing is though, why not? Reverting back to that old chestnut, on paper, it should be amonst the best environments, shouldn't it? As I understand it, our whole setup is (apparently) one of the best and most attractive for the top young names to sign for, (however much anyone might sneer at that, the proof is in the signatures). And when you have the likes of Menzies, Morrison, Newton, Lynch to mentor you? I agree it's a worry, I'm just struggling to understand why.

And now, the M62 beckons.

I may be some time.

If your not in the first team squad as a junior you never get to see these players.

: Fri May 22, 2009 10:38 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

That's my main concern, that we're over concentrating on juniors to the detriment of the first team.

That's been my accusation for a while now.

: Fri May 22, 2009 10:42 pm  

you are concentrating to the juniors my booty..how many players have you brought in this season? how fickle are your supporters?? makes my heart pump mickey !!!!

: Fri May 22, 2009 10:58 pm  

sure was an empty away end at the willows tonight compared to what you bought in recent seasons!!!!250 max from bratford tonight!!!tut tut perhaps a large percentage of your so called fans have deserted to the main principle town in your area!!

: Sat May 23, 2009 9:26 am  

wardleyred wrote:

sure was an empty away end at the willows tonight compared to what you bought in recent seasons!!!!250 max from bratford tonight!!!tut tut perhaps a large percentage of your so called fans have deserted to the main principle town in your area!!

Or maybe they didn't want to drive 50 miles to pay the best part of twent quid to stand in the cold drizzle and watch their team put in another pi$s poor performance? I did though, maybe my loyalty is my downfall, because I've been disappointed more often than not this season.

: Sat May 23, 2009 9:29 am  

wardleyred wrote:

sure was an empty away end at the willows tonight compared to what you bought in recent seasons!!!!250 max from bratford tonight!!!tut tut perhaps a large percentage of your so called fans have deserted to the main principle town in your area!!

I haven't been to an away match in Lancashire on a friday for about 3 years. Nothing to do with performances son its getting across in time.