Capable Hands Wants Shake Up

Last updated : 26 November 2007 By Ed
David 'Capable Hands' Gill believes academies across the country should be reviewed to ensure they can produce top players.

He said: "Looking at the system there has been a huge amount of investment in academies but we as the club - and Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record - believe some of the rules need to be changed.

"The Lewis review has been conducted and there are some excellent points out of that re the professional game, the FA, everyone involved, looking at how we produce what is necessary to push on.

"Without doubt a lot of money is there and we need to make sure we use that money wisely, and academies need to be looked at.

"Finally I think we have to reflect the fact that through the Premier League the standard has gone up.

"So it is more difficult for players in the academy to break through into what is a game which is always increasing in quality."

Among Lewis's key recommendations were the retention of the dual academy and centres of excellence programmes, the formation of a Youth Management Group (YMG) to oversee the development of young players, improving the English talent pool through better coaching rather than quotas and an emphasis on skills development for players aged between five and 11.