Argyle urged to develop talent more intensely
PLYMOUTH Argyle have been urged to appoint a specialist coach to work with the many young professionals at Home Park.
The call has come from Gordon Bennett, whose five-year stint as head of youth development at the club came to an end on Thursday.
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Bennett believes Argyle have missed out on maximising the potential of several young players over recent seasons.
He pointed to Plymouth-born Ryan Leonard, Damien McCrory and Dan Smith as examples of that.
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Smith played twice for Argyle at first team level and Leonard only once, while McCrory did not make that breakthrough before he was sold to Dagenham and Redbridge for a small fee.
Argyle will have five first-year professionals next season, including England under-18 striker Matt Lecointe.
The other four are midfielders Jordan Copp and Jed Harper-Penman, plus attackers Jared Sims and Isaac Vassell.
All five of them have already had some taste of first team football, although it has been limited, with the exception of Lecointe.
Bennett told Herald Sport: "I think the club should actually appoint a specific development coach who has no first team duties.
"Next season, there will be a large number of players in the squad aged under 21, from Conor Hourihane right down. I think it's nine.
"I would expect (Argyle manager) Carl Fletcher to recruit quite a few players, either on permanent transfer or loans, for next season.
"So I would expect the club to have a large competitive squad.
"Therefore, judging by what happened in the post-Christmas period last season, only about two or three of those 18 to 21-year-olds are likely to even be in the squad on a Saturday.
"I think they need someone without any first team duties to give them the extra training and coaching they need, in the afternoons and on weekends."
Norwich City employed a development coach, to good effect, during Bennett's time at Carrow Road, initially as youth development officer but later as chief executive.
He said: "We had a very successful (youth) scheme at Norwich. In the seven years I was there, the club invested £7 million and got back over £24m in transfer fees.
"The most notable young player we had was Craig Bellamy and talented as he was at a young age, he was in and out of the first team at 17, 18 and 19.
"He benefited because there was a really good coach there, looking after the reserves' squad.
"Even now, at his mature stage of his career, Craig still rings that coach once a week for a chat, and for advice and guidance.
"I have told (Argyle owner) James Brent I think the most important thing the club should do is have a development coach.
"I think a lot of the work (former Pilgrims' head of youth coaching) Mike Pejic and I put in hasn't been fully capitalised on because we haven't had a specific development coach at all during that period of time.
"I think the club has lost out big time in not maximising the potential of players like Dan Smith, Jake Moult, Damien McCrory, Ryan Leonard and Sean Kinsella."
Comments
by MikeSpiligan
Wednesday, June 06 2012, 7:09PM
“Just announced that Argyle to play Truro pre-season so let's hope Yetton scores a brace and draws some attention to himself... I will say one thing, I reckon he would give Feeney a run for his money...”
by Brian137
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 11:00PM
“Can he make the step up tho. It has to be said that he has scored more goals than his appearances for Truro, something like 205 goals in 198 appearances. He's 27 this year btw”
by Brian137
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 10:53PM
“I like Yetton as well, might be something in that, but I think he's a little older than 26”
by MikeSpiligan
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 7:49PM
“I think Argyle should consider bringing Stewart Yetton back for a season.. He's still banging in goals for fun and I think I'm correct in saying that he has scored more goals than any other non-league player over the past three years. I reckon he would relish the chance of having another crack at this level after not being given much of a run out when he was last here... He's still only about 26 as well.”
by anglo_dutch
Tuesday, June 05 2012, 7:33PM
“When I see youth football on the TV or at the local amateur club here in Holland it is always noticeable how physically stronger (bulk) British youth players are coompared to the "continentals". Often the continentals are quicker and their ball controls, positioning sense and passing to the feet are superior. Brits often win through physical strength , the advantage of which disappears when they become professionals. In Holland (Ajax being the best example) the results of the very young players U - 12 are totally unimportant. the coaching is all about ball skills ( two footedness and passing to the man and not just kicking into open space ) and awareness (positional play etc.). It is only when they are older and have mastered the basic skills that winning becomes important.”
by eddie_taylor
Monday, June 04 2012, 1:37PM
“@trongo, Gordon is 66 years old and may be he is heading for retirement or something a little less stressful, particular in view of the extensive effort required, by the club, to ensuring that it meets all of the league's criteria for the youth set-up.
Gordon has been a great servant to the club and it looks as if he as left on amicable terms, by still giving valued advice. No doubt the new en***bent could turn to him for some advice and support, if need be.
Gordon, thanx and enjoy whatever you do next.”
by whinger7643
Monday, June 04 2012, 12:31PM
“This has been the case for many years, where the big clubs in many instances have snatched away young talent for pennies or nothing at all, good advice which should be heeded and i would agree this should be at the heart of Argyles future so why has this man left?”
by trongo
Monday, June 04 2012, 8:46AM
“Bennett seems to be talking alot of sense in his last few interviews with the herald. Why has this guy left argyle.”
by 718004
Monday, June 04 2012, 8:28AM
“Wise words from a wise man, and not to be treated lightly. Argyle management should take heed.”