What do the experts say.......?

“If you work in football, then you believe in training,” he said. “That’s why we train our boys five times a week. Some clubs have increased that to six by taking their training into schools. Three times a week in England will be a big disadvantage compared to other European nations.” Bo Nielsen, the head of youth at Helsingborgs

“You have to wait until under-17 level here before you can train daily in England,” Prost said. “So you are missing the golden age of learning here. In Europe — Holland, Germany, wherever — every country gives their boys the opportunity to train every day. To find that not the case here was a surprise.” Georges Prost - Southampton Football Club

"While it is widely acknowledged that English professional players are technically inferior to those from other countries, it is also recognised among those who work in the junior age groups that the technique deficit is apparent as early as under-13 and under-14 levels. " Owen Slot, Chief Sports Reporter Times

Marseilles and the vast majority of foreign clubs train their youth teams five times a week; English clubs train theirs three times. 

“Technically, we’re losing ground on Portugal, Spain, France and some of the Eastern European countries........If we don’t revamp, in eight or 12 years’ time our challenge will be qualifying [for the World Cup], not winning it.” Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of football development

Does this sound familiar anyone.....? 

"Youth football at a very junior level is based on mediocre standards that aren't good enough. We have a situation where people who have got a poor standard of recognition are telling others that a great player is coming up through the ranks when in fact that player is mediocre. "

Coaching in England..... 

"Coaching would have been fine if it had been undertaken by people who were involved in the professional game, but instead it was done by educationalists - amateurs teaching the professionals. I go to coaching courses and see hardly anyone who has made their living from the game. For coaches to qualify they have to pass courses produced by teachers who set the standards and issue the certification after examination through the Football Association. " John Cartwright, Former Lilleshall technical director, Arsenal head coach

"One of the problems is what is happening at grassroots level. We go to offer coaching in school because very little football is being played there and boys don't go out in parks or play street football as much these days. Developing skills begins at a very young age and you can't load all the problems on the football clubs. "