David Moyes has taken plenty of stick given his decision to allow academy prospects to move on either temporarily on loan or as permanent transfers.
And given the central defensive problems with injury to Nayef Aguerd and Craig Dawson – along with Angelo Ogbonna’s lengthy recovery – he came in for a lot of criticism when allowing Aji Alese his switch to Sunderland.
The issue is highlighted at Aji Alese proves David Moyes right during opening months with Sunderland (hammers.news).
It is pointed out that the youngster has made only a couple of Championship appearances – both of which came off the bench and totalled only six minutes of action (Transfermarkt).
He managed to be included for the 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Sheffield Wednesday but was understood to have suffered a pretty horrible time in the side’s 2-0 defeat to the Owls.
It’s always very easy to criticise managerial decisions but the boss may have got this one right although, as he always likes to explain, every player needs a settling in period at any new club.
I have given up on criticising Moyes’s decisions regarding youngsters. I too was shocked and a little surprised when Aji Alesse was sold, as I thought that he was the most advanced young player out of ALL of our U23s and captain to boot.
So I was keen to watch him in action for Sunderland. Don’t get me wrong he has all of the potential to become a decent player, but it was clear to me that he would be on a long journey to reach his full potential. Imagine the scenario of Aji being played in our team, proving not to be up to speed, becoming a weak link and being targeted by the opposition. What would these supporters say then? Would their jobs be on the line? would they apologise for being wrong? What about Aji’s confidence psychologically? So many, opinions are like brain farts, never thought through to a conclusion.
I’ve heard all of the screaming, shouting and the criticism of Moyes regarding many of our youngsters who are deemed to be ready by supporters but have gone out on loan, what about ALL of the Big club’s players that have gone out on loan? Chelsea has loaned out many of their youngsters who could walk into many Premier League sides, if not most of them. Player development is a massive thing and so many youngsters (and supporters) feel that the step up is simple. Would Harrison Ashby walk into the Newcastle or Leeds teams? or would he be swapping one bench for another, where the manager that signed him could be replaced by the end of that same season? If a new manager comes in and doesn’t fancy you, then what?
What puzzles me is when has he been proven wrong? If Moyes had been proven wrong, this would surely become the stick with which to beat him with.
Let the Moyes manage this club is what I say.
What a load of rubbish.
Sunderland are still playing the same team that go them promoted. A young team rewarded to start the season. Alese us very good,our best defender in pre season.
I tell what is more damaging to confidence is seeing your team play poorly and injuries mountaining then not getting a chance.
Moyes is terrible with the youth.
Alese will come good at Sunderland unlike Moyes who’s time is up.
Moyes may make the ultimate decision but we have to remember there is a massive team of people analysing these youngsters over many years and if there was the slightest chance they thought a kid could be better than what we already have in our first team I’m sure they would do everything they could to keep hold of them.
Using one players inexperience by dissecting his first outing is not definitive of the issue. By the way, in contrast, Leeds are raving about Sonny Perkins and really pleased with him. The point that I and many were making is the clear and obvious blocked pathway for young players once at the top of the U23 league. For two seasons a few of them hit the bench of the first team, but were given no on pitch experience. No point saying they can’t walk in to the team ahead of anyone when they have not even tried as sub for a few minutes. They have been blocked and are voting with their feet. Moyes has not done what Slav did with Dec or Pell did with Johnson. No wonder other big clubs are snapping them up for next to nothing. I say open your eyes to the loss of potential and stop justifying throwing them away by Moyes just ignoring them. We all want the best for our club!