Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:57 pmthe word in the space just put the look of the school
At Valencia, Rafa had shown that he was not impressed by reputations and not afraid to blood youngsters from the youth team into the senior squad if they are good enough. He had said at the very beginning of his tenure that there must be a balance between the locally produced talent in the senior squad and the foreign imports, and the youth policy must produce quality to ensure long term football viability at the club.
The fact that he has given Warnock a crack at the senior squad is indication of this intent. Houllier, for all of his attention to the technical developments of youngsters at Clairfontaine, had preferred to buy Franch based players instead of giving the academy graduates a chance. One must remember that a foreigner, no matter how good, is risky in a sense that he needs to settle down to be able to deliver the goods consistently. Cisse is still struggling, Diouf never really settled, neither has Diao. Biscan is only coming good after a couple of seasons. Local lads will not represent such risk.
I believe in Rafa, we should give him time.