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Opinion: Is Zola’s Youth Policy A Myth?

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In previous articles, I have often spoken of Zola’s youth policy in terms of allowing young lads from the development teams to have an opportunity in the first team. Everywhere he has been, he as really made that almost a mission and it paid off more often than not. But I have been disappointed with him recently in terms of how he is treating the youth players and this was just confounded in the January transfer window.

I firstly would like to say however, that I am delighted that he has given young Cogley a chance in the first team and has repaid his trust. But despite this, I still don’t think that he has managed this very well. For one of the earlier games in the season, he brought Cogley on as a right winger. For a young player who probably is nervous and doesn’t have much confidence, to play them out of position surely isn’t going to help them settle. Then the goal went in after he had made a mistake. It shows the character of the man that he didn’t crumble after that. Zola really does have to be careful in terms of just throwing the lads in. I think several sub appearances are warranted and training sessions before they should be thrown into the starting 11 regularly. But it is good that he is getting minutes and I’m sure he will flourish over time.

The thing that I am most disappointed with is Reece Brown’s departure on loan to Chesterfield. With the utmost respect to the club, I don’t think that this move is right for Brown. Yes, he had outgrown the academy and therefore the option was either play him in the first team or ship him out on loan. But I believe that he could have gone to a Championship side on loan as he has that quality and he would be playing at this level week in week out which would help his prep to get back into the fold at Birmingham City. It just seems as though he has been sent out on loan as it is one less player for Zola to have to manage. I also do think that he could have gone straight into the first team squad. He has the attributes and the attitude to succeed and he is just the kind of player that I think Zola would like. Especially after Fab has left the club, it almost created a perfect hole for Brown but for some reason that I don’t know, he has been sent out on loan. Bizarre.

I am less critical of Viv’s loan spell but I still have something to say on the matter. Bolton Wanderers will be a good experience for him as they are flying high in League One and they have a crop of good young players such as Vela which are nurtured in the right way. I am confident that Viv will come back a better player because of it and I am happy that he has gone to Bolton. However, could we really afford to lose a winger? Yes, Frei has been brought in but I prefer him as a number 10. We have lost Cotterill out on loan to Bristol City and Maghoma will take a bit of resting after the AFCON. That leaves Stewart, who in my opinion, simply isn’t good enough and Adams who isn’t a winger. So I don’t think that we can afford for Viv to leave as I do rate his skills and think that we are lightweight in that department. But what do I know?

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