Kawee

First of all, let me make myself clear that I believe that the CA/PA is the right way to do things.

But I think there's just something wrong with the PA and the way players develop.

First of all, let me define PA, as I understand it since my whole post will revolves around it.

PA is basically THE BEST THAT A PLAYER CAN BE. Assuming a player has had the PERFECT upbrining:
- Best coach
- Best Training
- Best playing experience
- No injuries

He will reach his PA, correct?

Now...I was thinking about those players whose PA is below 100. How good do you think this PA suggest? Is it League 2 level? Or Conference level?

What really bugs me is the thought of a 17 year old whose PA is below 100. That means, if this particular 17 year old, was trained by Man Utd, play for Man Utd, week-in week-out, receive no injuries, he will not improve beyond the PA of 100?

Surely, if you take an average 17 year old, and gives him that, he'd be at least a championship level player.

It doesn't matter if it WILL happen or not. What matters is IF it happens, because that's what the PA is about. IF a player receives the perfect upbringing, how far will he go?

I'd just like to hear what you guys think. Think, if YOU were the 17 year old. And you trained with the best and played with the best and never suffered any major injury, how good will YOU be? I'm pretty sure you'll be better than a league 2 player.

Nomis07

Oh dear. I'm hiding now before the debate starts :p (I agree, but i'm not getting into this discussion again!!)

Cometdude

I dont think its enough to simply assume that becasue a player is trained by Man U he will be better than his potential indicates. With your reasoning one could assume that if I was trained by Man U then I would magically gain good ball control and become a decent player. I would think that it actually works the other way around, the player prooves himself to be a decent player with decent potential before he is signed by Man Utd, but I do agree that a club with Man Us coaching staff should produce more quality youngsters than they actually do.

glamdring

If I was trained by Manchester United from the age of 3 I'd still not be worthy of even playing for a Faroese 2nd division team when I reached 23!

phnompenhandy

If you keep a close eye on the Man U youth squad in real life, you'll see most of them 'graduate' to lower league if they stay in football at all.

Nomis07

Surely that's more to do with natural talent though.

I think we both had this debate before and differed on that occasion :p My suggestion was that players should be less likely to achieve their PA depending on the club they are with, rather than being able to surpass their PA.

I.e. there are two kevin Nolans both with PA of 180, the one playing for Man Utd, winning champuionships, making internaitonal appearances and playing in Europe should have the ability to achieve his full PA. The other still at Bolton would have a cap on his ability to achieve full PA because of the level of football he is playing and the lack of progression etc.

Beign able to surpass PA is maybe not the way to go.

Cometdude

Surely that's more to do with natural talent though.

I think we both had this debate before and differed on that occasion :p My suggestion was that players should be less likely to achieve their PA depending on the club they are with, rather than being able to surpass their PA.

I.e. there are two kevin Nolans both with PA of 180, the one playing for Man Utd, winning champuionships, making internaitonal appearances and playing in Europe should have the ability to achieve his full PA. The other still at Bolton would have a cap on his ability to achieve full PA because of the level of football he is playing and the lack of progression etc.

Beign able to surpass PA is maybe not the way to go. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmmm If Bolton are in the Prem are they not already playing the same level of football week in week out albeit not quite as successfully?

I agree that the club should impact greatly on whether or not a player reaches his PA but due to the coaching levels, training ground and maybe a little to do with the players he plays with.

Nomis07

I think the level of football, ability of players you're playing with etc will have an impact on it. I don't think Micahel Carrick would be as good as he is now if he had stayed with Spurs and I think gareth Barry would improve if he played for Liverpool rather than Villa.

Cometdude

I think the level of football, ability of players you're playing with etc will have an impact on it. I don't think Micahel Carrick would be as good as he is now if he had stayed with Spurs and I think gareth Barry would improve if he played for Liverpool rather than Villa. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep I agree there, but so long as its based on the players ability that he plays with and not soley on club REP. but I still think that the clubs coaches and training facilities should have a greater impact on a players PA. ( so long as they are playing regular 1st team football )

Nomis07

Definately, if Barry moves to Liverpool and they finish 12th for the next 3 years whilst Villa finish 4th for the next three years, he should not improve drastically in ability. European football, quality of football, quality of team, success as player and player in team and international recognition should influence it before club rep.