OPINION
Newcastle United are reportedly set to get rid of several members of their Under-23s team as the club are far from happy about the amount of players that have progressed into their first-team.
The Chronicle reported that Tom Heardman, Ben Kitchen, Curtis Good, Stuart Findlay, Michael Newberry, Jack Hunter and Kyle Cameron had all been released
It is believed that Cal Roberts and Luke Charman are to be handed new contracts, as they are rated by the club, and are set to go out on loan next season.
While this bold course of action to get rid of several young players considered deadwood at the club could work, the club need to change their philosophy in order for it to be a success.
Firstly the Magpies need to reach a situation where the first-team are not desperate for results as it will allow Rafa Benitez to create a side capable of putting in good performances rather than one that just gets points on the board.
Benitez hasn’t been able to hand enough young players first-team opportunities this season, as he has to focus on guaranteeing results to ensure the Magpies’ Premier League survival.
Adam Armstrong and Freddie Woodman are rated as being among the most talented youngsters the club have on their books, but both have been forced to go out on loan this season in order to continue their development.
While it would be a huge assumption to suggest that both could start in the Premier League, the pair are both talented enough to have been handed more opportunities.
If you’re a Newcastle youth player looking at how the club have used Armstrong and Woodman, you probably don’t see how you’ll ever be able to reach the first-team.
The club needed to create a realistical route into the senior squad, as one currently looks unavailable, not only to motivate players already in the system but attract the best young prospects from across the globe.
Lewis Gibson was one of the Magpies’ brightest talents but he left earlier in the season, as reported by the Chronicle, to join Everton as he thought his chances of progression at the Toffees were better.
This attitude will still be in place with the next generation of Magpies stars that the club will recruit following the mass cull, until there is a visible change.
Also the other change of philosophy the club must make is with its coaching staff.
All the blame cannot be put on the players for them failing to breakthrough and questions must be asked of their coaches.
Are the club teaching them the way they want to play successfully? Is there a style being implemented across the board in order to help players transition to the first-team?
Judging by the rate of success, the answer to these questions appears to be no.
Therefore after reportedly axing several young talents, if Newcastle United don’t want to have to do this again down the road, they must change their philosophy.