Comparisons with soccer can be misleading because soccer doesnt have a salary cap. Marquee signings on marquee wages generally dont work in SL because they use up too much cap space. How successful were Wigan in Trent Barret's days ?

Steve Mac ain't no Arsene Wenger.... unfortunately

Yes, Man Utd are in massive debt. But this was done by the Glaziers with the intent of producing massive profits. Even with the debts from the takeover Man Utd are still one of the richest clubs in world football.

I don't either.

Although I would prefer that our investments (youth players) are kept rather than sold on once they hit the first team.

It is a wonderful thing to have a succeeful youth policy how to make it succede is another. I read an article by a football writer, and he had checked through the list of football youth cup winners over a ten year period and only two had met the big time.
Certainly the Bulls have had their share of disappointments with youth talent, and we never appear to be able to develop a good half back.

I'm no fan of Deacon, but many people argue in favour of his quality, seen as though we produced him they would argue that we can produce quality HB's. I am a fan of Leon Pryce though, and as he is the England HB it's very clear than we can produce quality HB's.

So that's two, Saints have produced Tommy Martyn, Leeds have produced McGuire and Burrow, and Wigan have produced Long, and none have produced since.

These young bucks in SL that are being talked up are still unproven, and you never know, we might have our own young buck in a few seasons.

We've had as much success as producing HB's as all other top teams, just that we let the best one slip our net.

Tommy started at the roughyeds

Sadly Price wanted to play half back, but the club coach at the time wouldn't play him in that position. I suppose Oldham could say they brought Deacon on in his formative years.

I am baffled as to what the case of Manchester United, one of the ultimate big businesses in sport, and how they run their youth, player recruitment etc. remotely has to do with the Bulls. Might as well compare us with an opium factory in Afghanistan, fpr all the similarity in the cases.

Then I stand corrected, and Saints have a round zero mark when it comes to producing half backs.

I'm with Nobby, players don't dictate to the coach where they play, they play where they are told to.

However, there's no doubting Pryce is a HB, and we produced him.

Deacs played 4 pocsi games for Oldham, and developed his talents in the Bulls academy, therefore he's a Bulls product according to the rules of the game.

I think you have me mistaken with someone else, only joined the forum the other week.

what a load of tosh.

The analogy between our inability to fund good quality signings, and Arsenals supposed operating model is frankly ridiculous.

[iIf[/i we had the money, [iif[/i we could attract star players , we would. To suggest otherwise is disingenuous at the very best.

In RL for many different reasons you can on longer buy teams in the way football teams can.

This feels like someone is dressing up a poo sandwich and telling me it's steak.

If our current state of affairs is a result of a strategic plan, then those responsible should be sacked for incompetence.

It's just come to me who mentioned united bar you.

And how many overseas players do Arsenal have? Just the one is it?

We weren't going to be as crass as to mention that point. But as you have raised it. Under UEFA rules I believe that almost all of Arsenal's 1st team counts as homegrown.

kyle eastmond?

Oh ye of short memories...

In 2004 L. Pryce was named 15 times at starting No 6. He didn't really stand out in any of them, which is possibly why the club sought the services of one Mr I. Harris who was No 6 for the 19th game of the season.

I think TM was referring to proven, quality half-backs, who have established themself in SL.

I actually thought that Pryce was just starting to get to grips with the role when we signed Iestyn.

Pryce's problem was that, when other budding half backs were learning the role in academy and reserve teams, he was playing for the first team on the wing. It would be interesting to know the total number of games (at all levels) that he had played as a half back when we signed Iestyn, compared to say Danny Maguire.

Who's he? A friend of the mysterious Rob Burrows?

*** =redWarning*** Pedant Alert *** =redWarning ***

If Stan Kronke, who I believe is Arsenals leading shareholder, was to take the Bulls into the KSE group, our prayers would be answered.