Gavin Bazunu

Why would you only have been talking about outfield players? The GK role is the most important on the pitch. Anyway, the point I was making in the other thread was about some of the talent coming through which may have been helped by Dokter. He was an instigator of the underage LOI set up, of which Bazunu is a product.  Rovers have also profited to a record level from his sale. It could be just coincidence of course and Bazunu might have come through without the LOI underage system. Anyway, I just thought I'd pull you up 

I'll be back next time one of the other youngsters does something good 

Lets use your example. Where was McGrath at age 20? 

And where was Roy Keane at age 19?

Were they ready made global superstars?

You have no idea where the current crop of talent will end up. Some won't be playing football in 5 years, some might get a decent career in the lower leagues but I bet there will be a couple of high end Premier League players.

The National Leagues at underage level are definitely having an affect. That is not to say they are perfect but they are certainly better than the previous set up. Creating full time academies in the regions is the next logical step along with integration to schools system.

for LOI clubs they should be linking up with Third level institutions.

The ban on players going across until they are 18 will also add to the improvement. 

Would be interesting to see what an academy costs per year. How many age groups, coaches, medical etc are required. What resources can be pooled and what is a must have for each. You would think that if they had a detailed blueprint there would be people to fund it between Govt/Sponsors/philanthropists. We are a small country so the overall cost would not be huge and it would be a very good thing for a Corporation to have their name attached to. 

I heard someone say that the way to lean on the government is to provide high class shared sporting campuses built in large schools or colleges. So the schools/ universities/ colleges have day time access to the astro/ floodlights/ gyms/ grass pitches but don't have ownership and it is mandatory that they are shared with local soccer, GAA, rugby teams etc in the evenings and weekends. 

That's a bit like the American model where a lot of high schools have facilities far beyond the reach of most LOI clubs. 

This is it what the Brexit rule stops is the 95 of the 100 who aren't a standout getting sent to the slaughterhouse. They can stay here potentially break into a first team in one of the 20 clubs around in Ireland and play men's football learn their trade. 

You don't build a solid international team by praying for 2/3 CL players and hoping for the best you build one by maximising your player pool and developing a squad of real solid PL/Championship players. Our lack of League and English football being a slaughterhouse for young players meant we were minimising it. 

That's not to say we haven't got 4/5 young lads with that CL standard potential now we definitely do.

Particularly our volume of decent attacking players suffered from this the likes of Kenny or Burns are miles better off staying here playing regularly learn thier trade then going to England to rot in a U23 team.

Bazunu and Kelleher for sure would be top of the list. Travers may well be playing PL football at 23 next year for a keeper by any standard that's fairly rare and bodes very well for him with a view to getting a move to a Top 6/7 club down the line or a CL club on the continent. Our goalkeeping situation is just freakish for a small country of our size. 

Omobamidele and Collins. Can you find me 2 CBs 19 and 20 that have gotten PL minutes this season. Both lads have considerable potential especially in the modern game where bigger clubs are crying out for top CBs

Knight I think has plenty potential also shows real quality. 

As for Bazunu your going back to Robbie Keane really to find a player who just shows what you would describe as unique ability by any standard in World football. Last teen to play a competive qualifier in goal was Oblak for context. 

Even Duff for all I'm sure he was class played for Blackburn in the Championship in his early 20s.