MasterDebater

Was a good game to watch. From what spectators were saying I believe Helston had 2 players from their seconds in. As opposed to Perranporths 3. Perran also had 2 or 3 on the bench so maybe not in such dire straights after all.

Both good responses. 6times I agree with what your saying and locally no, there isn't someone in place, but should it not be a coaches responsibility difficult as it may be, to be honest? As for your point about the cream rising to the top by 21 I agree, but these are the players who will spend time and hone their skills at a suitable standard. It's the others I worry about. The ones who without guidance believe (or coaches/parents do) that they need to be with first teams around the county, when they are so obviously not capable. The silver spoon treatment will mean they'll make a career as journeymen. A CV of multiple clubs without ever getting match time or improving their game. Postman Pat I see what you're saying and there are most definitely clubs who recruit only experience but that's an issue for another day. As for the coaches ideals, from a youth coach perspective you'll want the best for all your players, but again does that mean you should be dishonest and tell them they're better than they are? It becomes contagious and more likely than not, affects the parents opinions as well. From an Adult coach point of view, success is what every coach strives for but that could come in many forms. Its nice to win games and trophies, but it's also a success if you can, for example, bring a 16/17/18 year old young man into an adult environment, watch them progress over time, getting good minutes on the board week in week out, in a standard that suits, and grow into a player capable of moving up through the steps of Cornish Football. Having a small or large youth set up doesn't affect that. I do agree that alot depends on how the club is doing, but at the same time there needs to be some realism injected into local football. It may just be the world we live in, but this sense of entitlement stemming from their achievements needs to be harnessed. As I said before there are 100% young men capable of making the jump straight away but it's only a small percentile compared to the number making said leap.

Afternoon folks. Something has been bothering me for some time now and rather than take to social media to rant, I'd prefer others opinions on said topic. On almost a weekly basis I'm seeing young footballers (fresh from youth football in most cases), bouncing around between different clubs for what are often, NOT the right reasons. I've found myself questioning these reasons and my concern that things stem from an egotistical (be it individual or parental) at such an impressionable point in football careers, has led me to start this discussion. 1) Is it bragging rights? Are these young footballers so desperate to tell their peers the standard they're are playing is higher than others? Do they get fulfillment from 5-10 mins at the end, (or worst case an unused sub) as long as small brown envelope contains enough pocket money for the weekend? Is it the parents bragging rights? 'My son is better than your son' mentality. 'He was captain of his youth side, so he must surely start in your 1st team', 'but he's played (5 mins) for the first team why should he drop to the reserves'. Some of the reasoning I've heard is truly laughable. There will always be an element of self or parental promotion, but should this warrant a complete leap over the majority, if not all of the adult leagues available? 2) Are they simply not ready? The number of youth players making the leap from youth football to the upper echelons of Cornish football has increased 10 fold. There seems to be a huge emphasis on development at youth level, but why is this (again, in most but not all cases) completely lost when they transition to the adult game? Should the coaches do more to help them in the transition? Could a bit of honesty go a considerably long way? 'I think while you're developing your footie you'd be better suited to.....' More recently I've witnessed young lads who are physically capable (strong, fast, athletic) but lack the simplest of football fundamentals. The ability to communicate, or make the correct choices under minimal pressure, and even pass a ball more than 5 yards on occasion. However purely based on their accolades as YOUTH players they are selected or pushed straight to the top leagues in the county. The mind boggles. 3) There are exceptions. I'm under no illusions that there are players, coming from an ever growing Youth Football environment, who are good enough. I've been lucky enough to watch alot of Peninsula football over the last couple of seasons, and they're has been many a stand out performance from 17/18 year old lads. I personally think the thin line between ready or not ready will always be wobbly. However, with the other leagues in Cornwall (junior and senior) struggling for teams/players, is this not the time to be ensuring young lads get the development they need to eventually reach their goals of hopefully playing as high a level as possible. The opportunity to play men's football has never been so available, yet unless it has some element of 'Oooh look at me' or affiliation to the top level, it's seems there's no interest. I do hope I'm not the only person of this thinking, and in no way is this a dig at youth or adult coaches, (I am one myself) but surely a concentrated effort to blow less smoke would benefit the youngsters development and aid the transition to Mens football. At the same time benefitting the leagues at each step, rather than having a surplus of young players simply not ready for the level they're trying to achieve. Thanks for reading.