That all goes together though, it’s something Levy should get more credit for.I didnt say training ground or facilities, I said academy/youth. And I didnt say 'more investment''
But that means diverting funds (maybe £10m pa - but even £5m could make a difference+) from transfer fund/player wages (or wherever) into getting the youngsters in (and Newcastle have got a great catchment area - its just that even going back to Shearer and Carrick, the better players went elsewhere, to Southampton in Shearer's case and West Ham in Carrick's case - and Wham's youth facilities are still shit) and developing them.
As I say, once the acdemy starts to produce youth players its a big advantage. But it is a long term investment of maybe 3-5 years to get markedly better players through - hence not popular with many fans.
Academy players like Mason, Townsend and Bentaleb were good enough to keep us going and free up money for the training ground, which provides a framework that attracts better players, which translates into Champions League and financing for a new stadium.
It’s a strategic plan, not just find a spare Arab, and it has taken a long time.
If people are saying there isn’t a kid that can be developed to be a Steve Howey, Robbie Elliott or Steve Watson somewhere in Geordieland today I’m not having it.