Nice to hear that the Academy is recruiting "Top Quality" players from across Europe. But the word Europe is the one that worries me. Where are the the English youngsters?
I read an amamzing report on the PFA website last night about the diminishing number of English players, especially in the Premier League. I urge all genuine football lovers to have a read. The report is titled "Meltdown". I have pasted link below, hope it works in your browser.
If not, got to: - www.givemefootball.com and click on the link form their homepage (digital edition)
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=W1m5q70J9Md0&EID=095118a5-4201-40ae-a055-1a7e3cf16837
The report also highlights issues with our National Team. For instance, where most European Countries will have upto 60 players to choose from for their national side, England could have less than 40 and thats diminishing. I found that particular statement hard to take at first, but read the facts and you can see why we are at serious risk of becoming a 3rd rate football nation. Anyway, enough of my rant, please read and draw your own conclusions.
Have a great day

Kids should start playing more football instead of robbing and bashing.

Easy statistic to improve. Just stop kids from playing on play stations and don't let them idolise Pete Doherty or Amy Winehouse.
Parents should take more interest in their kids play habits and take them down the park to play footie - or even just kickabout in the garden or road.
Professional clubs could help by offering £1 entry for under tens and £3 for under 16's still at school. Then more kids would idolise the professional footballers - but hopefully not Joey Barton!

I would say that a team that comes third behind Croatia and Russia (on level points with Israel) is pretty much third rate already.