What To Do With Youngsters?

We are in a brief interregnum at the moment, with the mini-window closed (it will reopen tomorrow and run until 1 September) and ahead of the announcement on 26 June of the 2025/26 Championship fixtures (at least on a provisional basis, before Sky takes its toll), and the first confirmed pre-season friendly, at Dartford on 12 July. So far we’ve had the welcome news of Boss Jones’ new contract and apparent resolution of the CEO issue, with Dane Murphy selected, plus the arrival of one new signing, midfielder Sonny Carey, and the unfortunate departure of Thierry Small. I’m going to miss him. Like Cory Blackett-Taylor before him, it was all far from perfect; but players who really set the pulses racing when they receive the ball are few and far between. So be it.

For sure the focus through to end-July is going to be on new signings (perhaps also what we do with Taylor and Ahadme and whether bids come in for others). But there’s another (related) issue which forms part of the equation – what to do with young players on the fringe of the squad, perhaps even regulars in the squad but not the first XI. It’s possible that Jones and his team will end up going with the ‘8-8-8’ approach and retain most if not all of them. But there is I’d suggest some consideration to be given to what’s best for the club over the medium term. Basically will our interests be best served by keeping youngsters on hand, to do a job as and when required but not getting much actual game-time, or by sending them out on loan with a view to them getting valuable match experience and development, to return to us as better players (or, for some, regrettably not making the grade)?

Here I’d be thinking about Asiimwe, Mitchell(Z), Laqeretabua, Enslin, Anderson, Rylah, Dixon, Leaburn, Kanu, Casey and Mbick, quite possibly others. It might seem strange to include Anderson and Leaburn in this mix, since the former was a regular squad member/often used substitute and the latter is assumed to be available again after another long-term injury. But the principle applies. Anderson has the potential to be an outstanding midfielder, but isn’t there yet; so will he progress better by being a bit-part player for us next season or by playing regularly and coming back stronger, aka Parker with his Norwich loan spell? Leaburn we hope will come back all guns blazing and show just what a player he can become; but – flashes of genius aside - was struggling to lead the line in a classic centre-forward role being asked of him.

Much as I’d love us to storm the division and be competing at the top, it isn’t being pessimistic to say that our primary, overwhelming objective for next season is not getting relegated. Going back down would rip the heart out of the club again. So if I’m Jones and looking to create the squad for next season, I’d be looking at the list above and asking myself which of these players do I expect to be key components. If some of them are considered ready for the Championship, fantastic. If they are not, and if we are looking to strengthen in their positions, the question surely becomes more what is best for their development (and our interests beyond the coming season).