Bristol Rovers vs Bournemouth Development Match Thread

Still playing?

Lost 3-0.

The whole Bournemouth team were full time professionals. Rovers team were all kids plus a couple of triallists. Mind you, Broom played so not sure if you call him a kid or a young man. Leave his mother to decide.

With Chtis Hargreaves contacts at Bournemouth we ought to get offered some of their released players.

Was he talking to a black guy with cool shades & "cornrow" hair style? He seemed to be an agent as well. There was also a slim, slightly built guy of Asian appearance who was rabbiting on into his phone & also seemed to be an agent, probably for the very tall black guy playing for us (presumably on trial). Rather amused me & a negative sign of the times, but hey ho, I'm just a dinosaur.

Ramsbottom, didn't Bolders have a stint with them?

Chris Hargreaves was there (as was Steve Hamer) and, yes, Surridge was very impressive.
What was immediately noticeable was the height difference. They were just that much taller all round.
What is also becoming apparent is that the huge majority of our younger players just
aren't going to make it. Sounds harsh I know, and I've long been an advocate of Lucas, and before
him Keary, Cooper Greenslade etc. But the expectations for our club have risen. For much of this match
our lads were chasing shadows. Many, if they have the right attitude, may have careers with Yate, Mangotsfield,
Frome etc, but they are going to have to be exceptionally good to break through into a top L1 side.

Let's be clear it is entirely possible for a club like ours and with the catchment area we have to develop players capable of playing L1, Champ and above but you have to be committed and brave.
Look at Locks, Oli Clark (this season), Ellis in previous years and look at a few south of the river.
I love what Darrell has done for our club but he is NOT a manager that is committed to youth and bringing young talent in, that in my opinion is his Achilles heal. I do understand it is often the challenge with Managers who are judged on short term results that is why you need a high profile and credible Academy Director and U21 Manager. The worse thing that happened to our club in this area was losing Oram and Fullerton, they were a great combination.
I have heard Darrell has no interest in the U21's other than filling the bench occasionally and accuses young professionals of "robbing a living".
From what I hear Chris Hargreaves is very poor and when you consider our youth, U18 and U21 results since he came in (and in comparison to the Oram/Fullerton days) they are very poor.
Despite the Wael ownership our club is not, and in my opinion never will be, like Man City, Chelsea and as such we must create a viable and self sufficient youth/U21 setup.
This needs a fantastic Academy Director, why not take Jon Goodman from the Nike Academy and make Jamie Fullerton an offer he can't refuse to come back as he would work very well with Darrell!

Horseshoegas 4 - Seems very harsh to talk of Chris Hargreaves the way you have...who rates him as very poor? What do you base your opinion on? I thought his job was to manage a development squad rather than the U18s. Also how do you know that DC has in for young players saying they are 'robbing a living'. Sounds to me as though one of your family did not make the grade or something.