03 Feb 2026 16:14:58
Made up the transfer window is shut and we get back to footy being the full focus.
We will all have to be very patient with this group of players. A lot of them are very young and we have had a huge turn over of playing staff. It's the reason we have been good and bad in equal measure this season.
We've done exceptionally well this season considering the change in stadium, ownership, senior management, 1st team manager and players in the last 12 months and to go from fighting relegation the last few years, we still have a fighting chance of getting Europe this season.
Going back to some of the young lads who have come into the club and from the youth set up, we really need to give these time. It isn't likely to be this season or even next they will still be learning their trade. Anything under the age of 23 won't be anywhere near ready for the demands of the EPL every week and definitely not ready to deal with our unrealistic fans. The fact Armstrong has been getting stick at the age of 18 is insane.
However, they all look like they have potential, so we need to let them develop without expectation at this early stage.
The future is looks really exciting and I'm really happy with the way things have gone. Not saying all my grey hair has gone but at least I've stopped pulling it out.
Stay calm blues, Rome wasn't built in a day and niether will we be.
{Ed025's Note - i agree with most of that John but im still of the belief that if you are good enough you are old enough mate, now im not saying play them every game because not everyone is a Wayne Rooney but they can still be introduced at times to give them a taste of what the can expect, now that may be in the odd cup game, when we are winning or losing comfortably or even just being on the bench to experience the big game atmosphere...surely thats better than having two keepers being subs, just my view of course..
03 Feb 2026 17:09:18
Totally agree Ed, we cannot expect to develop talent if they are not given a chance to show at premier level.
Games in lower leagues are all well and good, but we see it every season when clubs get promoted with players who have never experienced the premiership and wallow in relegation zone all season.
Sunderland realised that and brought in experience into the spine of their team.
{Ed025's Note - unless they get a chance LHR we will never know how good they are or can be mate, its ok going out on loan for a short period but it must be at a decent level and they must have certain guaranteed game time..well for me anyway..
03 Feb 2026 17:45:26
I'm with you on that ED.
I am 100% behind playing them and being on the bench, we just have to manage our expectations of what they can do at such a young age.
My main issue is the abuse they get. They never get a chance to make mistakes because fans get on them. I know it's just the way things are these days but if we want the stars of the future to be part of ours then we need to be accepting that they aren't the finished article.
{Ed025's Note - im a big supporter of the" suck it and see" philosophy John, give them a shot and take it from there even if its just a cameo, i just dont want them to be isolated and not feel part of the group mate..
03 Feb 2026 18:13:54
Honestly John i agree with you. My concerns aren't really about our club, its about large sections of our fans. A young players first touch cab be slightly imperfect and all of a sudden they should not be at the club anymore.
Obviously I get that we have gone through a hard time, but people need to swallow that and look towards, what hopefully is, a promising future.
03 Feb 2026 19:14:44
Completely agree with cropper16. Fans these days deem it perfectly acceptable to abuse thier own players. I would like to see some youngsters given a chance but not at the risk of the vitriol of some of our fans, if they make a mistake.
Why they do that is beyond me and yet they call themselves "supporters". Yes I know they earn fabulous salaries but that doesn't make players immune to the effect on their wellbeing that derision and negative criticism can cause.