The 'If You Still Need to Purge Yourself Of Ange' Thread

[braineclipse]

I think there is a theme in this entire thread about Ange. When I think about progressing the kids into the first team, the first team manager can only do a bit of that part. Perhaps the hardest last part but they can only do it with all the other pieces in place. The way Burnett readily brings the young guys into the U21's is a massive part of it. Then you have Andy Scoulding who seems to manage all these kids as they head out on their loans. He makes sure they are getting the right experience and feeds all that data back into Lange would be my guess.

BTW, that theme is that it's all about Ange to some. In reality, as an important cog in a machine, "Ange" didn't win the EL. THFC won the EL. The entire club won it.

I think the right question is whether our younger player development happens because of in spite of the first team managers we have. Some from column A snd some from column B would be my honest answer to that. I thought Ange did some really nice nurturing of Gray and especially Bergvall. However, I thought he was very reticent to use the young legs when we were at our lowest ebb in the injury / fatigue crisis. I think he was a little too cautious on that one (but that is my opinion).

One of my favourite games last year was Elfsborg when the 3 young guns got the glory. Obviously, Scarlett was recalled from loan and got a goal and 2 assists. Ajayi and Moore the other 2 kids to light the place up.

I hope and think it will be a little bit easier for Frank. There weren't that many of our most talented youngsters that had been out on loan or looked particularly close to being first team ready during Ange's time here. The Elfsborg game was a great experience, but I'm not sure it was representative of what those players could do against better teams.

Moore looked the closest and had some good moments. But he was also 17 at the start of last season(?) and still very young. Donley and a few others out on loan.

Bergvall and Gray, though not acadamy players, should be a great example of what can be done if a young player is good enough, ready and trusted.

 

[Jurgen the German]

I hope Ange lands on his feet in a decent league somewhere. He just needs to adapt like he did when we played in the EL. I hope he learnt a lesson that going after fans only ends badly too. He is a very likeable guy when he channels it in the right way. Having togetherness at a club and getting everyone to pull in the same direction is a vital component to success, I think Ange got that when he first arrived but things changed when the injuries started. Having a feel good factor around the club is key.

 

[veryoldspur]

"Yes, by the time Ange left the team was better" was the entirety of my original point.

But the thread isn't about the team, it's about the incompetency of Ange, and the very fact we performed worse with a better squad proves the point!