SQUADWATCH - Summer 2026

[southcote89]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?

It certainly appears that way!...

[Gordzilla]

I know we're using him as a right back and from the little I've seen rightly so, but isn't "Dokes" technically a Centre Back much like Dorsett?

Ideally we need at least one more but there are senior options if we're really pushed. I'm not sure the same applies to out and out strikers as far as senior players go.

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

No, you are not the only one.

We have had a top drawer Academy for some years now expected to produce players at least good enough to play at Championship level, if not Premier League so a 3rd division club should surely have more than we currently have pushing for first team spots.

There is no set formula for success.
If we take it that 1996 and 2006 were our two best years the interesting thing is that in 1996 we had 4 regulars who had come through the youth ranks in Adie, Taylor, Lovell and Gilkes but in 2006 we had none.

There has to be an element of good fortune over whether promising younger players train on but it is a concern, especially considering the lower level we are now playing at, that there are so few coming through now and since Olise.

Every fan likes to see their "own" come good and if that doesn't happen say in the next couple of seasons maybe the club will look at the Brentford model and focus much more on bringing in more players from outside rather than spending considerable funds on internal development.

Unfortunately, I think all of our best prospects that may have been breaking into the first team around about now were all sold off. Being Cat 1 has its advantages, but there's a pecking order in football and we are where we are.

Fair question to ask if the academy is worth it, given our position in the food chain. I don't know what the answer is, but in my view, fans shouldn't be totally wedded to having a Cat 1 academy. Especially if the cost of it means we have to cut corners elsewhere, such as having a strong scouting network, or having the space to pay a bit extra in transfer fees or wages for the right players.

In 2006 we had an academy, but didn't use it/produce any players of real quality. We did, however, have a good recruitment team and scouting network and gradually signed young, ambitious, talented players who came together to create something special.

Horses for courses, I guess. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer and nobody has a crystal ball.

Without our academy players, we wouldn’t have survived the two critical seasons in League One under Rubén Sellés then Noel Hunt before RC took over.

That’s the value of our academy.

[West F]

No, you are not the only one.

We have had a top drawer Academy for some years now expected to produce players at least good enough to play at Championship level, if not Premier League so a 3rd division club should surely have more than we currently have pushing for first team spots.

There is no set formula for success.
If we take it that 1996 and 2006 were our two best years the interesting thing is that in 1996 we had 4 regulars who had come through the youth ranks in Adie, Taylor, Lovell and Gilkes but in 2006 we had none.

There has to be an element of good fortune over whether promising younger players train on but it is a concern, especially considering the lower level we are now playing at, that there are so few coming through now and since Olise.

Every fan likes to see their "own" come good and if that doesn't happen say in the next couple of seasons maybe the club will look at the Brentford model and focus much more on bringing in more players from outside rather than spending considerable funds on internal development.

Unfortunately, I think all of our best prospects that may have been breaking into the first team around about now were all sold off. Being Cat 1 has its advantages, but there's a pecking order in football and we are where we are.

Fair question to ask if the academy is worth it, given our position in the food chain. I don't know what the answer is, but in my view, fans shouldn't be totally wedded to having a Cat 1 academy. Especially if the cost of it means we have to cut corners elsewhere, such as having a strong scouting network, or having the space to pay a bit extra in transfer fees or wages for the right players.

In 2006 we had an academy, but didn't use it/produce any players of real quality. We did, however, have a good recruitment team and scouting network and gradually signed young, ambitious, talented players who came together to create something special.

Horses for courses, I guess. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer and nobody has a crystal ball.

Without our academy players, we wouldn’t have survived the two critical seasons in League One under Rubén Sellés then Noel Hunt before RC took over.

That’s the value of our academy.

Yep, this ^^^^^^^

[linkenholtroyal]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?

It certainly appears that way!...

So I have been looking into this SCMP. This seems to be the new impact on what is going on.
From what I gather on the 1st July each year you have to show a figure in the accounts to double cover the wages for the coming year and any investment needed within the team on the playing staff. This can be topped up at that point by the owners therefore providing the war chest for the summer.

50% of the funds must be used for academy facilities etc so leaving your war chest.

This must have been achieved or we would be in the same situation as Oxford under embargo.

To hazard a guess our owners put in modest headroom which got us Dokes, Lisbie and the other early signings but after that we relied on player sales.

Then it all hinged on player sales, they sold WiFi but it is a staged payment plan so only the funds in the account can be used also those wages can be used but are they enough.

So yes there are funds but are they enough to get the reported 2 more players they wanted.

Have they also hedged there bets on a sell on from Azeez, a payout from Olise or after early interest the sale of Savage. All that have not come off yet.

So Ramys source is correct we are not under embargo so we can sign players.

But also the lost Insandouts also is correct as we can’t sign any players at the moment to not end up in embargo so there are 2 players waiting in limbo land waiting to sign who are agreed but they can’t put them through without breaching.

For me these rules are a right mess, it has evened the playing field but also made the transfer window boring and is likely affecting most clubs. Only thing I do wonder is whether a load of players will be released in August to make last minute space on wages for signings?? Time will tell.

[Orion1871]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?

Guess we'll soon find out if Brogue goes on a huge anti Couhig rant.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?

It certainly appears that way!...

So I have been looking into this SCMP. This seems to be the new impact on what is going on.
From what I gather on the 1st July each year you have to show a figure in the accounts to double cover the wages for the coming year and any investment needed within the team on the playing staff. This can be topped up at that point by the owners therefore providing the war chest for the summer.

50% of the funds must be used for academy facilities etc so leaving your war chest.

This must have been achieved or we would be in the same situation as Oxford under embargo.

To hazard a guess our owners put in modest headroom which got us Dokes, Lisbie and the other early signings but after that we relied on player sales.

Then it all hinged on player sales, they sold WiFi but it is a staged payment plan so only the funds in the account can be used also those wages can be used but are they enough.

So yes there are funds but are they enough to get the reported 2 more players they wanted.

Have they also hedged there bets on a sell on from Azeez, a payout from Olise or after early interest the sale of Savage. All that have not come off yet.

So Ramys source is correct we are not under embargo so we can sign players.

But also the lost Insandouts also is correct as we can’t sign any players at the moment to not end up in embargo so there are 2 players waiting in limbo land waiting to sign who are agreed but they can’t put them through without breaching.

For me these rules are a right mess, it has evened the playing field but also made the transfer window boring and is likely affecting most clubs. Only thing I do wonder is whether a load of players will be released in August to make last minute space on wages for signings?? Time will tell.

So basically 2 more signings nearly agreed but hinging on an Azeez sell on being realised? Quite a messy situation.

Of course the option is there for the owners to add in more equity.

[rabidbee]

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

Brogue posted up that graphic, didn’t he? I had assumed it was just his first choice 18. If not, who did select that group? Is it intentionally only selecting from senior players - so not including the academy? Or might it reflect a lack of knowledge or interest on the part of the compiler about the academy players. I certainly couldn’t pick many academy players, beyond the few that you read about on here.

Sounds like some of the U21s have had a good pre-season - the midfielder who played against Charlton (Mills?) didn’t look out of place, so maybe they will be able to step up this season.

[Hound]

Myself / insandouts25 has deleted their Twitter account - perhaps the registration rumour was to flush out the leaks inside the club?

Oh dear. And looks like it’s worked

[Doc]

No, you are not the only one.

We have had a top drawer Academy for some years now expected to produce players at least good enough to play at Championship level, if not Premier League so a 3rd division club should surely have more than we currently have pushing for first team spots.

There is no set formula for success.
If we take it that 1996 and 2006 were our two best years the interesting thing is that in 1996 we had 4 regulars who had come through the youth ranks in Adie, Taylor, Lovell and Gilkes but in 2006 we had none.

There has to be an element of good fortune over whether promising younger players train on but it is a concern, especially considering the lower level we are now playing at, that there are so few coming through now and since Olise.

Every fan likes to see their "own" come good and if that doesn't happen say in the next couple of seasons maybe the club will look at the Brentford model and focus much more on bringing in more players from outside rather than spending considerable funds on internal development.

Unfortunately, I think all of our best prospects that may have been breaking into the first team around about now were all sold off. Being Cat 1 has its advantages, but there's a pecking order in football and we are where we are.

Fair question to ask if the academy is worth it, given our position in the food chain. I don't know what the answer is, but in my view, fans shouldn't be totally wedded to having a Cat 1 academy. Especially if the cost of it means we have to cut corners elsewhere, such as having a strong scouting network, or having the space to pay a bit extra in transfer fees or wages for the right players.

In 2006 we had an academy, but didn't use it/produce any players of real quality. We did, however, have a good recruitment team and scouting network and gradually signed young, ambitious, talented players who came together to create something special.

Horses for courses, I guess. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer and nobody has a crystal ball.

Without our academy players, we wouldn’t have survived the two critical seasons in League One under Rubén Sellés then Noel Hunt before RC took over.

That’s the value of our academy.

That was the value of the academy at that time.

In our slow descent from the Championship the cost-cutting included releasing or selling academy players and, significantly, not adding to that group with 14-18 year old players released by PL clubs, meaning that the number of L1+ quality players ready for the first team now has reduced.

That’s not to say that it isn’t and can’t produce good enough players now, just that it is likely to be producing fewer than it was, and less of a chance of ones in positions that the first team currently needs.

[linkenholtroyal]

It certainly appears that way!...

So I have been looking into this SCMP. This seems to be the new impact on what is going on.
From what I gather on the 1st July each year you have to show a figure in the accounts to double cover the wages for the coming year and any investment needed within the team on the playing staff. This can be topped up at that point by the owners therefore providing the war chest for the summer.

50% of the funds must be used for academy facilities etc so leaving your war chest.

This must have been achieved or we would be in the same situation as Oxford under embargo.

To hazard a guess our owners put in modest headroom which got us Dokes, Lisbie and the other early signings but after that we relied on player sales.

Then it all hinged on player sales, they sold WiFi but it is a staged payment plan so only the funds in the account can be used also those wages can be used but are they enough.

So yes there are funds but are they enough to get the reported 2 more players they wanted.

Have they also hedged there bets on a sell on from Azeez, a payout from Olise or after early interest the sale of Savage. All that have not come off yet.

So Ramys source is correct we are not under embargo so we can sign players.

But also the lost Insandouts also is correct as we can’t sign any players at the moment to not end up in embargo so there are 2 players waiting in limbo land waiting to sign who are agreed but they can’t put them through without breaching.

For me these rules are a right mess, it has evened the playing field but also made the transfer window boring and is likely affecting most clubs. Only thing I do wonder is whether a load of players will be released in August to make last minute space on wages for signings?? Time will tell.

So basically 2 more signings nearly agreed but hinging on an Azeez sell on being realised? Quite a messy situation.

Of course the option is there for the owners to add in more equity.

This is the bit I am not sure on, I don’t think they can they have to submit there business plan at that point with the relevant funds…. So there may not be that option without breaching the rules.

[Hound]

Unfortunately, I think all of our best prospects that may have been breaking into the first team around about now were all sold off. Being Cat 1 has its advantages, but there's a pecking order in football and we are where we are.

Fair question to ask if the academy is worth it, given our position in the food chain. I don't know what the answer is, but in my view, fans shouldn't be totally wedded to having a Cat 1 academy. Especially if the cost of it means we have to cut corners elsewhere, such as having a strong scouting network, or having the space to pay a bit extra in transfer fees or wages for the right players.

In 2006 we had an academy, but didn't use it/produce any players of real quality. We did, however, have a good recruitment team and scouting network and gradually signed young, ambitious, talented players who came together to create something special.

Horses for courses, I guess. There's not necessarily a right or wrong answer and nobody has a crystal ball.

Without our academy players, we wouldn’t have survived the two critical seasons in League One under Rubén Sellés then Noel Hunt before RC took over.

That’s the value of our academy.

That was the value of the academy at that time.

In our slow descent from the Championship the cost-cutting included releasing or selling academy players and, significantly, not adding to that group with 14-18 year old players released by PL clubs, meaning that the number of L1+ quality players ready for the first team now has reduced.

That’s not to say that it isn’t and can’t produce good enough players now, just that it is likely to be producing fewer than it was, and less of a chance of ones in positions that the first team currently needs.

I’d like to think the stronger academy players along with Dorsett and Abrefa will play games this year

Osho certainly has a chance and I could see Duah, Sackey, Beacroft and a couple of others getting games

Doesn’t seem like we’ll bring in many more experienced players, and very much doubt the likes of Roberts, Williams and Marriott will be fit all year so there’ll be plenty of spaces

[Vision]

All that being said, am I the only one a little disappointed that of the core 18 players listed, there's just one academy player listed and he's only a bench option?

Brogue posted up that graphic, didn’t he? I had assumed it was just his first choice 18. If not, who did select that group? Is it intentionally only selecting from senior players - so not including the academy? Or might it reflect a lack of knowledge or interest on the part of the compiler about the academy players. I certainly couldn’t pick many academy players, beyond the few that you read about on here.

Sounds like some of the U21s have had a good pre-season - the midfielder who played against Charlton (Mills?) didn’t look out of place, so maybe they will be able to step up this season.

I don't think there's too much argument that the players on Brogue's list make up the best 18 players we have. I just find it a little sad there's just one academy player on it and he might not make that list, if another senior Centre-Half gets signed as most of us seem to want.

There's always a balance to be struck between promoting young players ahead of time and blocking their pathway because we want 2 senior players for each position.

[Gordzilla]

If we can involve 5 academy players regularly up until December, with subs appearances in the league and full games in early cup rounds, we’ll have a deeper, cheaper and more experienced squad of players for the future with sell-on potential or not requiring too many signings next summer.
Makes the squad more sustainable.
Just need the manager to have the right mindset and to be bold in including them. RS did when he was here.

Them well have the funds to buy less but potentially higher fee KEY players that can make the difference to get us out of this league.

[stealthpapes]

Strikes me that the academy is always going to be on a slight lag to where the first team is. The whole point of it is to think long term, signing players for at least five years time.

So yeah of course it ‘helps’ when you get relegated, these players were primed for a level higher so players like Vickers and Garcia could have some impact.

Fully agree with post above

[stealthpapes]

Fewer.