Things have changed and some of us, me definitely, may have outdated views. We used to have first year pros who weren't retained, they disappear even from the best of memories such as Ollie James or even Ray Stubbs! Anyone who got a second contract, played and are remembered if not memorable Danny Holmes, Jon Kenworthy etc but ultimately didn't make it.
We have shipped out players we retained who never played in full first team matches, pizza cups excluded, and they languish well below Chester's level.
On the flipside we have signed players who have done two years as pros at prem clubs, giving them presumably decent contracts for us and what? Hughes showed glimpses, but so did Strats and Lomax, yet our managements this year have discarded him completely. Hockenhull will remain an enigma.
For reasons not completely clear to me Everton have 20 year olds not good enough for us we have them who are very much part-time standard.
A trilogy of multi-year contracts have been given to Wigan (middling club) releases so money was used to lure. Jolley and Merrie are failed projects and McAlear hasn't yet been exposed fully. If Everton and co produce not good enough even for us, Wigan aren't likely to!
We certainly need to dismiss the notion that they come from such high pedigrees they must be good. Norris may yet come good but his presence at LFC is as credible as him being in a world heavyweight bout.
I see Calum MacDonald seems out of favour at Mansfield so he may get a mutual move once they are promoted? As it stands if we were to follow next season, I'd reckon only Hendry would inspire me with confidence at the higher level. I do think we should tie him down now, he's probably the only one who might walk in future.
