I am not too bothered about youngsters going into another academy, so much changes between early and late teens, there will always be the odd one who goes onto better things but the vast majority dont really progess, what they do is cash in now whilst their potential and reputation is high, football is a business, its not like it was 30 years ago, a lot of lads have 'advisors' from early school age, i dont like it as football should be about enjoyment especially at that age but thats the way it is.
To give an example i am mates with the dad of one of the kids who have gone to Villa (i wont name him) both are Albion fans and he enjoyed being at the Albion but Villa approached him, he went there and they blew us out the water. He said Albion are very good with the resources they have but Villa just flexed their power, the way he was looked after, what he was promised, how he was made to feel, his head was turned.
He said Harrison and Hopcroft were both top blokes and done as they promised they would (i have worked with Steve Hopcroft and he is a good bloke) but to give an idea what we are up against, my mates son at 17, earns double what his dad does, each year that increases until he is 21.
My mate said he wanted his son to stay at Albion as he knows parents who's sons have gone to Villa and its not going to plan, he said however with the financial rewards and that his son wanted to go they went with this advisors and basically with the contract he has, he can lead a nice lifestyle (without being too OTT) and with the advisors help will be not far off not needing to work again by the age of 21 and thats even if doesnt kick a ball for Villas first team, its hard to reason against tbat.
The downside though and my mate has noticed it, is that his son has started to ease off a bit and thats what some of of the other parents have said, Villa now is like we were when we has Field, Leko, Harper, etc they were all good players for that time but its all a bit comfortable and the hunger isnt quite what it was, its not intentional but giving young lads a lot of money and security and pampering them for every one of their needs isnt good for their motivation, they think they have made it (he said the stuff Villa do for them is embarassing, they cover everything but as my mate said if they dont make it they are not prepared for the real world)
He said the coaching and pathway isnt as good as the Albion, a few years ago my mates son could of gone to any of the top english clubs as well as Athletico Madrid ans Inter to name a few (they were offered relocation, wages, etc) but after meeting Richard Stevens they were so impressed he stayed at Albion, he said he is brilliant at what he does and Stevens and the other coaches are on the reasons he wanted him to shun the money and stay at Albion but his sons head was turned.
The issue Villa have got is that they used their financial power the last few years to blow everyone out the water, the downside to that is that people then expect results and i have been told through a good works contact that Harrisons job is starting to get asked questions and unless something major happens (ie - a real breakthrough star from the lads they have poached from other teams for large fees) he will probably be gone within the next 18-24 months as part of an academy restructure, supposedly there is somebody who Villa have taken on who will ruffle a few feathers and he wants results, its not gone down too well with Harrison (similar to Dowling, what Dowling did was correct in questioning what was going on, how he went about it was where he went wrong)
I think we are in good hands with Stevens, people will always get their head turned by money but he seems well respected and i got told Fenton Heard turned down a big offer from Villa despite being a Villa fan.
