But the players you have mentioned are first team players. Once these young boys start performing for the first team then they are in a position to ask for more money and not before.
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Perhaps that makes them feel all the more frustrated. These guys must be earning a pittance compared to the likes of Tavares, Melkersen, Kenneh, none of whom have actually "performed", albeit they have been on the pitch.
For young strikers with self -belief, knowing that they have had a group of poor strikers (Bojang, Melkersen, McKirdy, Tavares) ahead of them when they are not really getting a sniff of an opportunity, it must piss them off big time. Whether they are any better than the likes of Bojang, Melk or Tav, who knows, but I'm baffled as to why neither have been used from the bench in order to find out.
Although it's great for the players, i think this European run has held back, the ones who might make it, from getting more 1st team exposure. it feels like Keen is keeping this group together for Europe. Once that come to an end, whenever that may be, i think we will see the ones who will make it get more game time for the 1st team.
Look at the bench against Livi for example. It was full of players we are either actively trying to get rid off or reluctant to ever play e.g. Cabraja, Henderson, Mitchell, Melkerson, Kenneh, Fish. Maybe less so Kenneth & Melkerson as they could also be brought on for game time, but replace some of the others with some of the U19s with little detrimental impact to the bench. Then a game 4-0 up against 10 men is the time to take advantage and give them minutes.
I've only seen the two UEFA Youth Cup games which is not a sound basis for judgement but what struck me most in these two games was the tremendous togetherness of the team, playing as a unit and for each other. The one exception was Laidlaw in the Molde game where his body language left a lot to be desired, giving the impression that he was above the level of football being played, even though his own performance didn't live up to his reputation. However iirc he was maybe not long back from an injury and was perhaps more frustrated with his own performance? He was certainly miles better vs Nantes. Hopefully that is the player we see vs Dortmund, not the sulky chimp* who came out of the box at times vs Molde.
* https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimp-Parad.../dp/009193558X
In the early 90s some of the players in BP sides made it some that didn’t were cracking players that’s the game unfortunately hope a few can get a chance if not then at other clubs
Therein lies the problem. Guys that are doing it at under 19 level in the elite European tournament are not given a chance in a woefully under performing 1st team. I think there’s something very odd about that. Stories of low ball deals for Laidlaw- possibly others Aitken perhaps who are out of contract in May. What are the Gordon’s playing at?