Archie Gray

[Lilbaz]

Indeed, the usual thing with kids is that they are still a little up and down. He has talent for sure but i hope we do not build him up before he has got the consistancy and maturity to show it.

Or go the other way and write him off too early.
Let him develop. In a couple of years time we will have a better idea of how good he can be.

 

[parklane1]

I agree in general and I'm probably guilty of overhyping young players at least a bit. Don't think I'll stop doing that any time soon.

For me Gray showed, particularly as a CB, both consistency and maturity last season. He started 35 games in total, 19 in the PL. There were some issues on show, he had his ups and downs as you say. But imo way less than should be expected for an 18 year old and one playing "out of position".

For me he went from "oh brick, we have an 18 year old CM/FB filling in at CB" to "oh cool, another chance to see Gray at CB, he'll probably do well".

If that was part of his learning curve and he steps up from here we're in for a real special player.

I do not really disagree with you at all, what my concern is that he came with a reputation built up by many and so far he has shown a lot of promise for sure. However there is still a way to go [imo] and having spent a lot of my working life coaching young players into the pro game i have seen so many that go down in a blaze of glory because they do get a lot of praise and then fail to press that on.

Now i am not for one minute suggesting that Gray will go down that route, he has had a good grooming not only by his family but some very good coaches and the ability is there for sure. At the moment i feel his best posistion is not CB [ allthough he did well when put there] and the experiance he has gained there will stand him in good stead going forward for sure.

He comes from a family who have been in the game so he has obviously been taught that there are ups and downs ahead for him and its how he deals with the downs that will come. I agree with you over the learning curve and it can only help him progress into what we all hope will be that he becomes one of our very special players fans will be talking about in the years to come. COYS.

 

[braineclipse]

I do not really disagree with you at all, what my concern is that he came with a reputation built up by many and so far he has shown a lot of promise for sure. However there is still a way to go [imo] and having spent a lot of my working life coaching young players into the pro game i have seen so many that go down in a blaze of glory because they do get a lot of praise and then fail to press that on.

Now i am not for one minute suggesting that Gray will go down that route, he has had a good grooming not only by his family but some very good coaches and the ability is there for sure. At the moment i feel his best posistion is not CB [ allthough he did well when put there] and the experiance he has gained there will stand him in good stead going forward for sure.

He comes from a family who have been in the game so he has obviously been taught that there are ups and downs ahead for him and its how he deals with the downs that will come. I agree with you over the learning curve and it can only help him progress into what we all hope will be that he becomes one of our very special players fans will be talking about in the years to come. COYS.

I agree and all your concerns are valid to bring up.

In your experience and opinion how much does mentality and attitude matter in this? Seems to me to often be the most important factor (perhaps second to injuries and just getting a proper chance).

Part of what I like about Gray and some of our other youngsters now (or what we can see from the outside). Seems to be reflected in our transfer policy for these young players too. And hopefully something the club tries to stay on top on for the academy players too.

I think the example set by the first team matters here too. And both for the development of the first team players and the standard they set for younger players I hope a high degree of professionalism and working to further develop the mentality side remains a focus.