Sorry for butting in...
By combining a highly wired and intelligent brain with our academy prospects ability then I think we could create genuinely brilliant players along the lines of a Xavi, Iniesta or Pirlo.
Just lifted this part from your post by way of intro FMS - first off; no need to be sorry as long as you're keeping 'it' in the context of what was being discussed, I suppose - which was:
* "looking for answers in the transfer market is destined to fail" - I reckon everyone and their brother can see that that's not true. Then, with that original notion scraped (I assume) it moved to...
* 'Only those [from the academy] who are good enough should get the chance' - I also reckon that everyone can see that 'we' do in fact (and more than most) give lads from our academy a chance. That 'argument' put safely to bed, we moved again to...
* 'Because there aren't even more kids good enough [to force their way into a top team, with top four and title ambitions] - it's a damning indictment on our academy' - well... in my opinion... that's nonsense. Truth is: very, very, few of any kids, from any F***ing academy (small or large) make it to the top table - much less force their way into a top class team - the fact is; the overwhelming majority of kids never 'make it'. Is that an indictment on our academy, the ability of the kids or... football in general?
Remember - if a player is good enough he will make - if not at their parent club, then somewhere else.
Which brings us back, neatly, to where you've decided come in FMS.
Although far removed from our [SoaG/myself] original debate, you make some very valid points and I totally agree. All kids should be educated to as high an academical level as is within their capabilities - obviously some will be more gifted than others [just like footballing ability
]... if for no other reason than the fact that very, very, few will become professional footballers - even less at the highest [LFC, for e.g.] level. And... All clubs
should have a social conscience.
Now what that has to do with
maybe signing Illarramendi rather than give Jordan Rossiter a chance, F**k only knows
but that aside it's been both very interesting and enjoyable reading your excellent post... once again, I totally agree.