SACKINGS TOUGH ON YOUTH – MOYES
David Moyes says the sacking culture of the Premier League helps explain the dearth of young players making the grade in the top tier.
Injuries have seen the Sunderland boss play a number of young players this season, but he is the only manager at a bottom six club not to be changed this season.
He said that can affect the mentality of managers when it comes to picking youth, with Aitor Karanka the latest to be sacked.
Moyes said: “It does – it’s a general point, not just at this club.
“Clubs want young players in the team, but they take time to develop.
“When managers are changing so quickly, why wouldtheyputyoungerplayers in the team? They need senior professionals who can come in and do the job right away.
“Jordan Pickford, Lynden Gooch, Duncan Watmore, Paddy McNair – we have had a group of younger players who have had a go this time.
“It’s just that not that noticeable because of our position.
His comments were echoed by Sunderland U23s boss Elliott Dickman, who said the ‘relentless’ demands on previous managers perhaps explains why it took so long for many to get their chance.
He said: “The British managers we’ve had have been very, very proactive in the academy, I’m not saying the others aren’t good managers, but they come from a different culture and different systems.
“Each year they have different scenarios to deal with and different pressures. It’s relentless.”
“What’s happening now should just be normal, really, but I understand circumstances might not allow that all the time.”