Lundstram joins Blackpool on loan

@Kieran, this is the same Blackpool who had no strikers and still wouldn’t play Vellios

Maybe, it’s a confidence issue, as Harold alluded to, or maybe he’s not as good as we all thought. I would have thought, that with the meteoric rise, and success of Barkley, who let’s face it was at this time last year, more or less, in the same position that these young ones find themselves in now !

One year on, and Barkley’s fortunes have changed dramatically ! It could be argued, that Ross is an exception to the rule and possessed ’ that something special ’ but it shows what can be achieved.

Which is why I am surprised, that of the crop of hopefuls, it appears that only Luke Garbutt is ready to feast at the big table !

Too many are swept up by the culture of celebrity (with a pliant media that propagates it) and many of them are millionaires before kicking a ball for the first team. A player should want to make headlines on the back pages, not the front page or inside pages of a gossip mag.

Couple of examples - the Man City youth player who was jailed after killing two people when racing his high-powered sports car. (He’d never played for the 1st team). David Bentley - subject of 㾻m transfers, retired before the age of 30 as he can’t get a club. Drop his wage demands? Why bother when you’re already loaded.

Ross, when he had his leg break that would’ve finished many a player, used his rehabilitation to develop his use of his left leg/foot (in part as he was nervous about too much pressure on the right). Hence why he’s adept at long range shooting / passing with both feet. If he develops to his potential (and he’s nowhere near it), imagine him running at a retreating defence - does the defender show him onto his left? Er, no. Right? Best not...

Part of the problem is these young men are quickly signed up by agencies. Even though they’re limited to 2 year contracts, they’re not savvy enough to shop around. The likes of the ex-vacuum salesman were bad enough, but now there are bigger players like IMG, CAA etc. seeing the potential for multi million commissions on image rights etc. it’s worse.

I think you have definitely hit the nail there mate, it’s like a juggernaut who’s brakes have failed. Juggernaut being the collective analogy for agents (spit) high wages, media,etc.

How do you stop it, or even change it’s course safely ?

Whilst I agree with your general overview in this specific case I think that the player currently lacks the physical power to make the transition to mens football. If you look at those who make it at a very young age (Rooney / Shaw / Barkley / Wickham) they are very well built and able to deal with the physicality of the Premier League / Championship - although the same features may well mean that they also finish early.

I think that Lundstrum has the attributes to make a Premier League player but it will just take a bit longer for him to get there.

It’s approaching sink or swim time for players like Lundstram. Blackpool have a very tough season ahead and we could find out a lot about him.

How are your boys doing?

Just what have you got against white hair? Personally I think it is very distinguished!! And, what is wrong with frightening the youngsters every now and then? Did us no harm............................................did it?

I don't think we would have loaned them a player if the coaching staff weren't giving off the right vibes.

The fans will actually drive the players.....because they can't afford the coach

What do you mean the fans have carried the club? I don't doubt that they're loyal supporters and will get right behind the team, but that's as far as it goes. They are not in a position to "drive the club forward" - that's down to the Chairman, who seems to have a very odd way of going about things.

It's chaos there, and I doubt it's a good place to send one of our young players.