Who should Hibs keep, punt, sell off, release and get in this summer?

[Slippery kaboosh]

We could potentially see 10 to 15 players leave this summer.. maybe a ruthless clear out wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[BVilleggiante]

I'd like to see someone (if not just actually him) like Jason Cummings back at Hibs. Someone that has a big personality and can bring some fun/energy/unity to the locker room.

 

[Yogi B83]

We could potentially see 10 to 15 players leave this summer.. maybe a ruthless clear out wouldn't be a bad thing.

Agree. I’m hopeful that the Bournemouth link will bear fruit in terms of attracting some decent playing options.

 

[Hibs Soldier]

I wonder if any Lorient players will make there way to Hibs after being relegated

 

[hibbybilly]

I wonder if any Lorient players will make there way to Hibs after being relegated

The right back was shite, he never got near that cvnt Mbappe all night.

 

[hibbybilly]

The right back was shite, he never got near that cvnt Mbappe all night.

And their left backs a bit of a cvnt.

 

[Dub]

St Mirren keeper

Centre back - Lewis Mayo (Killie) & Kerr (Captain) (Wigan)

Cadden, Obita, Megwa.

Holding Midfielders - Allan Campbell (Millwall) David Watson (Killie)

Attacking midfielders- Moriah Welsh & O’Hara (St Mirren)

Wingers - Armstrong (Killie) or McGowan (Dundee)

Number 10 role - Sidibeh (St Johnstone)

Strikers - Myziane, Vente, Blair (Motherwell)

Manager - Stephen Robinson, Assistant Manager - Diarmuid O'Carroll,
Goal keeping coach - David Marshall,

What's wrong with Wallocott as our number 1? I can't see that he's ever done anything wrong to make you want him dropped.

 

[The Family]

What's wrong with Wallocott as our number 1? I can't see that he's ever done anything wrong to make you want him dropped.

I haven’t seen enough of him to judge, although when he did have chances he never impressed me that much.

 

[Dub]

I haven’t seen enough of him to judge, although when he did have chances he never impressed me that much.

What did he do wrong?

 

[numptyploom]

What did he do wrong?

Crap boots and he hadn't brushed his hair?

 

[Dub]

Crap boots and he hadn't brushed his hair?

Two sackable offences right there

 

[Smurf]

What did he do wrong?

Flapped.

 

[HaarlemShuffler]

Two sackable offences right there

Crap at hairbrushing his boots too?

 

[Dub]

Flapped.

Right you are. How many times have you seen top-class goalkeepers flap at a ball? They all do it from time to time. It seems some folk are looking for reasons to write the guy off. I'd give him a season as number 1 to prove himself.

 

[Smurf]

Right you are. How many times have you seen top-class goalkeepers flap at a ball? They all do it from time to time. It seems some folk are looking for reasons to write the guy off. I'd give him a season as number 1 to prove himself.

Sick of projects!

 

[Doc Shrink]

Sick of projects!

Me too.

"Always next season" is getting to be small window for some of us.

Surprised that old fecker @Dub thinks he has time for projects.

 

[paigntonhibby]

Me too.

"Always next season" is getting to be small window for some of us.

Surprised that old fecker @Dub thinks he has time for projects.

Completely agree, there's a few on here for whom 5 year projects are pie in the sky due to our advancing years.
Just get a fuckin winning team on the park Hibs while a lot of us are still around to appreciate it.

 

[Doc Shrink]

Completely agree, there's a few on here for whom 5 year projects are pie in the sky due to our advancing years.
Just get a fuckin winning team on the park Hibs while a lot of us are still around to appreciate it.

I just had a look at the number of managers who have been in post during my time as a regular attender.

My advice to fellow 'mature fans' is..... don't do it.

 

[Dub]

Sick of projects!

I don't look upon him as a project. In the games he's played he's done little to nothing wrong but some folk are only too happy to write him off for the chance to sign someone else who might also turn out to be not good enough in their eyes.

Not sure if you're expecting a new Peter Bonetti or Alan Rough to hove in to view desperate to play for Hibs suddenly but I've got sad news for you; it's not going to happen so let's not write this guy off before he even gets the chance to play regular games.

He's not been kept out of the side because he's shit. He's been kept out of the side because only one player can be the goalkeeper in any given game and he's seen as the backup until Marsh hangs up his gloves. Maybe try to give the guy a break.

That goes for you as well @Doc Shrink

 

[Doc Shrink]

I don't look upon him as a project. In the games he's played he's done little to nothing wrong but some folk are only too happy to write him off for the chance to sign someone else who might also turn out to be not good enough in their eyes.

Not sure if you're expecting a new Peter Bonetti or Alan Rough to hove in to view desperate to play for Hibs suddenly but I've got sad news for you; it's not going to happen so let's not write this guy off before he even gets the chance to play regular games.

He's not been kept out of the side because he's shit. He's been kept out of the side because only one player can be the goalkeeper in any given game and he's seen as the backup until Marsh hangs up his gloves. Maybe try to give the guy a break.

That goes for you as well @Doc Shrink

My comment wasn't specific to the goalie, just a response to the never ending rebuilds and promises of jam tomorrow.

 

[Bangkokhibby]

I just had a look at the number of managers who have been in post during my time as a regular attender.

My advice to fellow 'mature fans' is..... don't do it.

Couldn't help myself and had to check. Been a while since I could claim to be a 'regular' attender but wow that's a big number.

 

[whiskas]

What did he do wrong?

Ross County game? In saying that he came on recently when David Marshall was injured at half-time and looked OK. Maybe worth another chance

 

[Smurf]

I don't look upon him as a project. In the games he's played he's done little to nothing wrong but some folk are only too happy to write him off for the chance to sign someone else who might also turn out to be not good enough in their eyes.

Not sure if you're expecting a new Peter Bonetti or Alan Rough to hove in to view desperate to play for Hibs suddenly but I've got sad news for you; it's not going to happen so let's not write this guy off before he even gets the chance to play regular games.

He's not been kept out of the side because he's shit. He's been kept out of the side because only one player can be the goalkeeper in any given game and he's seen as the backup until Marsh hangs up his gloves. Maybe try to give the guy a break.

That goes for you as well @Doc Shrink

Clubs with lower budgets have better. We need better than their better.

 

[FTJT]

I'm happy for Wollacott to get a season with the gloves and see how he does. But he's been firmly behind Marshall this season, and given Marshall's been decent but not exceptional I think it's inevitable that there's a question mark over his understudy. At the very least, it's a position on the park that we can't simply tick off for the next few years.

 

[Jack K]

What's wrong with Wallocott as our number 1? I can't see that he's ever done anything wrong to make you want him dropped.

I'm with Dub on this one.
Wollacott has had a season to settle in, has international experience for a big nation and is a good age at 27.
I don't think supporters have seen enough to be marking his card but the coaching staff have.
The more players Hibs have to sign this summer the more the budget for each one will be diluted.
We already have all the squad players we need for next season so it's all about bringing in quality starters this summer.
We need to replace the likes of Fish, Hanlon, Maolida, Marshall and Marcondes. That won't be easy or cheap and that's just to stand still so hopefully the coaching team think Wollacott is good enough to be our keeper next season. That way we can chuck more of the budget at improving other positions.

 

[Hammi]

Sack all the Wollacott chat and play Murray Johnson in goals.

And I don't even have a problem with him, just wanna see one of our young talented keepers finally get a chance to make something happen for themselves.

Even more so for Murray because he got his loan cut and lost a decent chunk of game time.

I agree with @Greenmachine about making a decision on these lads out on loan.
I couldn't believe we announced a season long loan for all of them well before the last season was even finished!

I feel our whole squad should be here for day 1 of pre-season and the lads get an opportunity to step up.
Like Doig did, he won his spot playing in friendlies! Look how that turned out.

 

[Jack K]

Sack all the Wollacott chat and play Murray Johnson in goals.

And I don't even have a problem with him, just wanna see one of our young talented keepers finally get a chance to make something happen for themselves.

Even more so for Murray because he got his loan cut and lost a decent chunk of game time.

I agree with @Greenmachine about making a decision on these lads out on loan.
I couldn't believe we announced a season long loan for all of them well before the last season was even finished!

I feel our whole squad should be here for day 1 of pre-season and the lads get an opportunity to step up.
Like Doig did, he won his spot playing in friendlies! Look how that turned out.

Murray Johnson is only 19. Even the youngest back up keeper in the league is 3 years older than him. He needs a good loan rather than the crushing responsibility at Hibs. Max Boruc our other keeper is 2 years older than Murray so still young at 21.

Probably a good chance that Will Dennis comes in on loan this summer to push Wollacott for the starting bearth.
He will be 24 in 2 months time and has been on loan at Kilmarnock from Bournemouth this season, playing 32 games.
Dropped a couple of bollocks with og's against Hibs and Hearts but has generally done well.

 

[Hammi]

Murray Johnson is only 19. Even the youngest back up keeper in the league is 3 years older than him. He needs a good loan rather than the crushing responsibility at Hibs.
Max Boruc our other keeper is 2 years older than Murray so still young at 21.
Probably a good chance that Will Dennis comes in this summer to push Wollacott for the starting bearth. He will be 24 in 2 months time and has been on loan at Kilmarnock from Bournemouth this season, playing 32 games.

I don't care about any of that.
If you can be trusted as an outfield player at 16 and 17 you can play in goals at 19

He would need good leadership, mentorship and all the rest but what player doesn't?

And I know fine well it won't happen
Doesn't mean it shouldn't

 

[Jack K]

I don't care about any of that.
If you can be trusted as an outfield player at 16 and 17 you can play in goals at 19

He would need good leadership, mentorship and all the rest but what player doesn't?

And I know fine well it won't happen
Doesn't mean it shouldn't

The coaches see Murray play every day and he will play for Hibs when they think he is ready.
They could always play him in one of the dead rubbers this season if they want to tick a box and give him a bit of encouragement.
However, with experience of only 7, 3rd tier senior games I think it's safe to say he isn't ready to be Hibs first choice keeper next season.

As for your goalkeeper and outfield player argument. It doesn't hold water.
None of the 3 current Scottish Under 21 goalkeepers, Cieran Slicker (21), Jack Newman (22) or Vincent Angelini (20) have played a single league game this season at any level whereas all of the 15 outfield players in the same Scotland Under 21 squad have played many:
Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, Kieran Bowie, Leon King, Adam Devine, Lewis Neilson, Cole McKinnon, Aidan Denholm, Lewis Fiorini, Michael Mellon, Liam Morrison, Ibane Bowat, Matthew Anderson and Adedire Mebude.

Scotland Under-21s National Football Squad | Scottish FA

Find information on the latest squad announcements for the Scotland Under-21 team. Visit the Scottish FA for all your Scottish football news.

www.scottishfa.co.uk

So in conclusion it's clear that good quality young goalkeepers struggle for game time at a good level and good quality outfield players of the same age don't.

I think the issue is that goalkeepers play 5 years longer than outfield players so block the path into first team football for young keepers.
This season alone our league has Marshall, Gordon, Hart, McGovern, McLaughlin, Legzdins and Carson all aged between 36 and 40.
Most will retire this summer and Gordon will fanny about for another season playing the odd game, so a changing of the goalkeeping guard is taking place.

Murray Johnson is a very good goalkeeping prospect but he is behind all 3 of the Scotland Under 21 goalkeepers who are aged 20-22 and they are struggling for meaningful senior football this season so it's no surprise that Murray is in the same position.
I presume Newman of Dundee Utd at 22 will be age barred for the U21's at the end of this season and Johnson will make the squad next season.

 

[GibbytheHibby]

I don't care about any of that.
If you can be trusted as an outfield player at 16 and 17 you can play in goals at 19

He would need good leadership, mentorship and all the rest but what player doesn't?

And I know fine well it won't happen
Doesn't mean it shouldn't

Plooky was 21 when he started to become the first choice over the road (he didn’t play that much on loan at Cowdenbeath).
I’ve no idea if Johnson is ready for some exposure or not, but GKs are afforded too much protection in their development imo. Trouble for Hibs right now, we’d really need a proper leader on the pitch preferably at CH to help protect the Gk.

 

[Hammi]

The coaches see Murray play every day and he will play for Hibs when they think he is ready.
They could always play him in one of the dead rubbers this season if they want to tick a box and give him a bit of encouragement.
However, with experience of only 7, 3rd tier senior games I think it's safe to say he isn't ready to be Hibs first choice keeper next season.

As for your goalkeeper and outfield player argument. It doesn't hold water.
None of the 3 current Scottish Under 21 goalkeepers, Cieran Slicker (21), Jack Newman (22) or Vincent Angelini (20) have played a single league game this season at any level whereas all of the 15 outfield players in the same Scotland Under 21 squad have played many:
Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, Kieran Bowie, Leon King, Adam Devine, Lewis Neilson, Cole McKinnon, Lewis Neilson, Lewis Fiorini, Michael Mellon, Liam Morrison, Ibane Bowat, Matthew Anderson and Adedire Mebude.

Scotland Under-21s National Football Squad | Scottish FA

Find information on the latest squad announcements for the Scotland Under-21 team. Visit the Scottish FA for all your Scottish football news.

www.scottishfa.co.uk

So in conclusion it's clear that good quality young goalkeepers struggle for game time at a good level and good quality outfield players of the same age don't.

I think the issue is that goalkeepers play 5 years longer than outfield players so block the path into first team football for young keepers.
This season alone our league has Marshall, Gordon, Hart, McGovern, McLaughlin, Legzdins and Carson all aged between 36 and 40.
Most will retire this summer and Gordon will fanny about for another season playing the odd game, so a changing of the goalkeeping guard is taking place.

Murray Johnson is a very good goalkeeping prospect but he is only 19 and is behind all 3 of the above Scotland Under 21 goalkeepers who are aged 20-22 and struggling for meaningful senior football this season so it's no surprise that Murray is in the same position.
I presume Newman of Dundee Utd, will at 22 be age barred for the U21's at the end of this season and Johnson will then make the squad.

I get all that, I do.
I didagree with how young keepers are treated. I've been on here for years advocating for Kev D because he will be a decent keeper.

Should never have been dropped for Matt Macey when he came back. Wouldn't have been any worse off and the lad has potential.

Someone that was properly proud to wear our colours too.
You can't fake that.

I know why, and how etc
Just disagree.

 

[numptyploom]

The coaches see Murray play every day and he will play for Hibs when they think he is ready.
They could always play him in one of the dead rubbers this season if they want to tick a box and give him a bit of encouragement.
However, with experience of only 7, 3rd tier senior games I think it's safe to say he isn't ready to be Hibs first choice keeper next season.

As for your goalkeeper and outfield player argument. It doesn't hold water.
None of the 3 current Scottish Under 21 goalkeepers, Cieran Slicker (21), Jack Newman (22) or Vincent Angelini (20) have played a single league game this season at any level whereas all of the 15 outfield players in the same Scotland Under 21 squad have played many:
Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, Kieran Bowie, Leon King, Adam Devine, Lewis Neilson, Cole McKinnon, Lewis Neilson, Lewis Fiorini, Michael Mellon, Liam Morrison, Ibane Bowat, Matthew Anderson and Adedire Mebude.

Scotland Under-21s National Football Squad | Scottish FA

Find information on the latest squad announcements for the Scotland Under-21 team. Visit the Scottish FA for all your Scottish football news.

www.scottishfa.co.uk

So in conclusion it's clear that good quality young goalkeepers struggle for game time at a good level and good quality outfield players of the same age don't.

I think the issue is that goalkeepers play 5 years longer than outfield players so block the path into first team football for young keepers.
This season alone our league has Marshall, Gordon, Hart, McGovern, McLaughlin, Legzdins and Carson all aged between 36 and 40.
Most will retire this summer and Gordon will fanny about for another season playing the odd game, so a changing of the goalkeeping guard is taking place.

Murray Johnson is a very good goalkeeping prospect but he is only 19 and is behind all 3 of the above Scotland Under 21 goalkeepers who are aged 20-22 and struggling for meaningful senior football this season so it's no surprise that Murray is in the same position.
I presume Newman of Dundee Utd, will at 22 be age barred for the U21's at the end of this season and Johnson will then make the squad.

P=

The coaches see Murray play every day and he will play for Hibs when they think he is ready.
They could always play him in one of the dead rubbers this season if they want to tick a box and give him a bit of encouragement.
However, with experience of only 7, 3rd tier senior games I think it's safe to say he isn't ready to be Hibs first choice keeper next season.

As for your goalkeeper and outfield player argument. It doesn't hold water.
None of the 3 current Scottish Under 21 goalkeepers, Cieran Slicker (21), Jack Newman (22) or Vincent Angelini (20) have played a single league game this season at any level whereas all of the 15 outfield players in the same Scotland Under 21 squad have played many:
Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, Kieran Bowie, Leon King, Adam Devine, Lewis Neilson, Cole McKinnon, Lewis Neilson, Lewis Fiorini, Michael Mellon, Liam Morrison, Ibane Bowat, Matthew Anderson and Adedire Mebude.

Scotland Under-21s National Football Squad | Scottish FA

Find information on the latest squad announcements for the Scotland Under-21 team. Visit the Scottish FA for all your Scottish football news.

www.scottishfa.co.uk

So in conclusion it's clear that good quality young goalkeepers struggle for game time at a good level and good quality outfield players of the same age don't.

I think the issue is that goalkeepers play 5 years longer than outfield players so block the path into first team football for young keepers.
This season alone our league has Marshall, Gordon, Hart, McGovern, McLaughlin, Legzdins and Carson all aged between 36 and 40.
Most will retire this summer and Gordon will fanny about for another season playing the odd game, so a changing of the goalkeeping guard is taking place.

Murray Johnson is a very good goalkeeping prospect but he is behind all 3 of the Scotland Under 21 goalkeepers who are aged 20-22 and they are struggling for meaningful senior football this season so it's no surprise that Murray is in the same position.
I presume Newman of Dundee Utd at 22 will be age barred for the U21's at the end of this season and Johnson will make the squad next season.

Lewis Neilson must be some player.So good in fact, you named him twice.

 

[Jack K]

I get all that, I do.
I didagree with how young keepers are treated. I've been on here for years advocating for Kev D because he will be a decent keeper.

Should never have been dropped for Matt Macey when he came back. Wouldn't have been any worse off and the lad has potential.

Someone that was properly proud to wear our colours too.
You can't fake that.

I know why, and how etc
Just disagree.

Hibs can sign Kev D for free on a pre contract at Christmas if they decide he is better than what we already have and he would return next summer at the age of 27 having been a first choice keeper for two and a half years and could play at Hibs for another decade.
I will say that if he had made some of the bad mistakes he has made at Raith Rovers this season Hibs supporters would have been calling for his head wheras at Rovers he just able to move on to the next game without a great deal of fuss.

Our 3 goalkeepers for the 2021/22 season were all moved on. Kev plus:
Macey who will be 30 in 4 months and is kicking his heals at Portsmouth after being unattached for the first half of the season. Will be in the same league as Porteous and Nisbet next season and
David Mitchell who is 34 and at Partick Thistle.
Football teams just plough through players trying to find better ones.

Amazing to see ex Hibs keeper Ross Laidlaw will be 32 in a couple of months. He has played well and been on the fringes of the Scotland squad but was quickly cast aside at Hibs.

There is almost a case for not developing your own young goalkeepers and starting the process by signing guys at 25 who big clubs have spent 10 years working on and paying. We will get the answer on that soon given that Murray Johnson is one of the very best in the country for his age.

 

[Jack K]

P=

Lewis Neilson must be some player.So good in fact, you named him twice.

The other player was another Hearts player so must have been subconsciously ignoring him.
Aidan Denholm now named in place of one of the Lewis Neilson twins.

 

[Hammi]

I will say that if he had made some of the bad mistakes he has made at Raith Rovers this season Hibs supporters would have been calling for his head wheras at Rovers he just able to move on to the next game without a great deal of fuss.

Aye but if he was making the saves that he does we'd soon get over the odd mistake.

I know it's all pointless because managers almost never ever trust a young keeper. It's impossible to develop someone when you've no got the balls.

Donnarumma became Milan first choice keeper at 16/17 year old.
You just need to have the bottle to let them develop.

You'd be better off developing at the level your playing as a keeper than dropping 2 or 3 leagues.
Keepers develop different from outfield players. The risk is the confidence and experience they have, not the ability.

It's no bigger a risk playing a 19 year old striker as it is playing a 19 year old keeper.
Just strikers get away with more than a keeper can even though they're both equally important roles.

 

[Greenmachine]

The goalkeeper is such a crucial position in any football team that the vast majority of managers will always go for an experienced number 1.
Managers need to keep their jobs by winning games, so will always reduce the risk of defeat by giving the gloves to a more experienced and dependable goalkeeper. Hibs are lucky that we have a few young goalkeepers who who are highly rated, but they will almost certainly be loaned out constantly, or just play as a number 2 to the first choice.

Assuming Marshall leaves or retires, then If, whoever our manager is next season, rates Wollacot highly enough to make him our first choice, then we just have to go with his judgement. To be honest, I just haven't seen enough of Wollacot to say whether I think he is good enough, but the manager and the goalkeeper coach are ultimately the best ones to judge. Personally I always think a club like Hibs should have a good, experienced goalkeeper because I believe, as a major club in Scotland, we need to have the best goalkeeper we can get.

 

[Jack K]

Aye but if he was making the saves that he does we'd soon get over the odd mistake.

I know it's all pointless because managers almost never ever trust a young keeper. It's impossible to develop someone when you've no got the balls.

Donnarumma became Milan first choice keeper at 16/17 year old.
You just need to have the bottle to let them develop.

You'd be better off developing at the level your playing as a keeper than dropping 2 or 3 leagues.
Keepers develop different from outfield players. The risk is the confidence and experience they have, not the ability.

It's no bigger a risk playing a 19 year old striker as it is playing a 19 year old keeper.
Just strikers get away with more than a keeper can even though they're both equally important roles.

When 16 years old Whittaker started in midfield this season everyone thought he didn't look out of place but as soon as he had to play in his preferred position at the back his inexperience was immediately apparent so some positions expose a players inexperience more than others.
Supporters want young players in the team ... until they mess up.
Better they make their mistakes in the championship and 1st Division were the fall out is minimal.

Loans are a good way of benchmarking a players level.
Megwa, Aiken and O Connor at Airdrie this season is a good example. It's showed that Megwa and possibly Aiken can play in our league and that O'Connor isn't up to it yet. I remember lots of folk were demanding that Josh O'Connor should be playing after he won the penalty in the Aberdeen game. His loan spell proves they were wrong and the manager was right.

The lower leagues are full of players who were at big clubs once but were not quite good enough for one reason or another, which makes it a bigger test for young developing players than folk think.

I can see us with another load of players out on loan again next season. 35 players contracted for next season and only 19 can make the match squad including the new acquisitions.

 

[Jack K]

Looking at the current squad it is hard too see who we could sell to bring in decent money other than Youan and despite being infuriating at times, selling him would take a lot of goals and assists out of a team with a struggling Vente, an aging Boyle and a leaving Maolida.

We have sold every player asset we had in Doig, Porteous, Nisbet & Melkersen and now the cupboard is currently bare.

The January window is good for selling players or getting loan fees because teams will give you money for any old crap because many of them are desperately trying to change things. Hibs could exploit that next season.

P.S. Melkersen has had a haircut for the new season so no hair band anymore.
After 4 games his team sit in equal 4th, a point behind the 3 leaders, 2 of whom have played an extra game.

 

[Hammi]

When 16 years old Whittaker started in midfield this season everyone thought he didn't look out of place but as soon as he had to play in his preferred position at the back his inexperience was immediately apparent so some positions expose a players inexperience more than others.
Supporters want young players in the team ... until they mess up.
Better they make their mistakes in the championship and 1st Division were the fall out is minimal.

Loans are a good way of benchmarking a players level.
Megwa, Aiken and O Connor at Airdrie this season is a good example. It's showed that Megwa and possibly Aiken can play in our league and that O'Connor isn't up to it yet. Remember lots of folk were demanding that Josh O'Connor should be playing after he won the penalty in the Aberdeen game. His loan spell proves they were wrong and the manager was right.

The lower leagues are full of players who were at big clubs once but were not quite good enough for one reason or another, which is why it's a test for young developing players to play there.

I can see us with another load of players out on loan again next season. 35 players contracted for next season and only 19 can make the match squad including the new acquisitions.

Still, agree and understand loads of that.
Just don't agree with how it works.

Playing and training at the highest level is better for you than dropping down.

You find your level, gotta challenge yourself to get better.
Imo.

 

[Greenmachine]

Still, agree and understand loads of that.
Just don't agree with how it works.

Playing and training at the highest level is better for you than dropping down.

You find your level, gotta challenge yourself to get better.
Imo.

Tend to agree.
Look at the Golden generation...Riordan, O'Connor, Scott Brown etc. When we played them in the first team regularly from 2003 onwards they got better rapidly as they were being tested against the best, and they proved themselves top players in time. Learn from the best is what I say.