Just had a look at our recent Academy graduates and is it just me that's amused at all of them predominantly being Defenders?
We seem to be good at churning out quality defenders and goalkeepers but haven't really produced any forwards or midfielders in ages! Mahoney is the only one I can think of. And you could count Lowe as a midfielder I guess.
Frank Fielding, Jake Kean, Raya, Olsson, Hanley, Henley, Jones, Lenihan, O'Connell, Wharton, Nyambe, Doyle, Travis - all of them being defenders/goalkeepers
I only ask because I remember reading how Academies around the country are starting to focus more on producing Strikers & Attackers due to the rewards they can get in the Transfer market for a young British striker/winger. And some clubs have even hired foreign coaches who focus on Attacking skills and Technique. That makes sense as well considering a young striker would have the same value as four defenders combined coming out of the Academy.
I realise there's not much the club can do in terms of the kind of players who make it out, but this is just something I found amusing.