It seems he has tons of potential but is taking time to realise it. Maybe he has this season then the decision will be made. Feels like he might end up elsewhere and blossom!

Really interesting comments from Cummings, probably the best insight into Balmforth's development we've had.

Young players obviously need guidance and coaching to progress onto first-team level. I would suspect that Hull Fc 2024 hasn't exactly been the greatest of environments for any young player to develop. The onus is on the club to help upcoming players realise potential, another of our failings in recent times.

We've all been critical of the senior players attitude throughout this season, if any young player was to feel the same way then he is hardly going to be inspired to push on and progress. I don't know for certain, as I don't work at the club, but it must be difficult for youngsters working through the fog of uncertainty that has enveloped us over the past few years. Hope this doesn't come back to bite us in later years.

Really good post. Environment is important in any walk of life. Whilst I don't have a sporting background, I have worked in somewhat toxic environments before and you can see how that affects people and maybe stops people from being the best person they can be.

Ashworth, Fash, Reynolds all back. I'd like to see Okunbur when his loan ends given a run at centre he can't be any worse than Scott IMO.

Walker
Martin
Scott
Sutcliffe
Briscoe
Trueman
Reynolds
Eseese
Houghton
Fash
Sao
Lane
Cator
Subs
Ashworth
Aydin
Smith
Chan
I'd swap Ashworth or Chan for Ligi in 2nd row but don't think Grix will.

One of the reasons, I suspect, why Wigan and Saints have a seemingly endless supply of quality youngsters always emerging, is that their young players take their lead at a young age from the senior staff at their clubs. It is made clear to them the standards and attitude they need to adopt if they wish to make the grade. Only the best with the right commitment survive at those clubs.

As you say, this applies in every work place, whatever sector we work in. It is always up to the experienced staff to create the working environment. Failure to do so means young people, in particular, will quickly become disenchanted with what is going on around them, a sort of 'if they can't be bothered, why should I?' mentality.

In any workplace, this isn't conducive to a successful business, but in a sporting club where you are dealing with, by and large, a group of young men, it can easily become self-defeating, physically harming the club and any ambitions it may harbour.

I could be wrong, but as I said earlier, it's difficult to ignore the impression that Hull Fc 2024 hasn't been the happiest of workplaces. I defy any sporting people to able to remain positive when you're being beaten (sometimes badly beaten!) on a weekly basis, it saps the energy and belief out of even the most positive of people, a banging your head against a brick wall feeling.

It is never the prerogative of the younger staff to set the business agenda, they would need colossal confidence to be able to do so, but if the likes of Balmforth, Charles, Moy, etc. are looking around themselves and thinking 'nobody here cares, so why so I' then all we are doing is potentially wasting highly promising youngsters. They will not develop into SL quality players simply by their own efforts, that is where coaching and guidance enter the picture, the onus is squarely on the club's shoulders.

Stifling young player development is an almost hidden negative from when a club is enduring the kind of season we are right now. Something that doesn't fully become obvious until later years. I have found myself wondering this year what on earth it must be like going into the club to work on a daily basis, pretty depressing at times I would think. The biggest effect of such a downbeat environment would undoubtedly be felt by the younger players.

I just hope we don't live to regret this aspect further down the tracks with other SL clubs ultimately benefiting from these young lads talents as they grow older.

Have you not watched Ockunbor, I think he could.

It's about setting the expectation at every level in the club that nothing but 100% effort and commitment in everything everyone does is acceptable. No half assed performances, going out on the lash, not putting the extras in etc. This club is a shambles top to bottom where mediocrity (and worse) has been the norm for too long

Scott or Sutcliffe
both pants

I agree but isnt someone who makes things happen from Dummy half exactly what we are missing?
There isnt one player in the squad who doesnt switch off at times and miss tackles.
The coach should make the players around him aware that they need to up their defense around Balmforth and him more protection whilst he is learning the game.
Speed and someone who makes things happen from dummy half we shouldnt throw thet away