Brentford Academy Director Ose Aibangee said the 2014/15 season had been a really good one.
Ose sat down for a lengthy post-season catch-up with Bees Player and outlined his thoughts on the campaign that had just finished and the current situation in the Academy.
Brentford had success on the pitch in 2014/15 with the Youth Team finishing second in the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South and then reaching the national final.
The Development Squad had a good second half to the season after the arrival of Lee Carsley and Jermaine Udumaga, from the Under-21 group, was involved in the match day squad at many Sky Bet Championship matches.
Ten Under-18 players have now turned professional and Ose said there was a chance some from this group could play in the Championship for The Bees.
“It has been a really good season,” said Ose.
“From a playing perspective the Under-18s and Under-21s did well.
“The Under-21s started slowly but when Lee came in there was a massive improvement in how they played and development.
“The Under-18s were consistent and excellent throughout the season.
“It was unfortunate towards the end of the season where they didn’t win the league or the final.
“The key thing is to have professional footballers and we had ten signing contracts.
“That is a crop of good players and there is potential there for us to have First Team players from this group.”
The Development Squad coaching change came last autumn.
Jon De Souza was moved from the Under-21 group to the Under-18s and former Republic of Ireland international Lee Carsley arrived at Griffin Park.
“We have good people at the Academy and there will always be changes with fitting staff in the right places,” said Ose.
“I don’t see an Under-Nines coach as different from an Under-21s coach, they just do different jobs.
“You have to get the right people doing the right job.
“I felt Jon De Souza was better suited to the Under-18s and that Lee’s experience of playing and coaching would make him better for the Under-21s and players moving in to the First Team.
“I want my coaches where they can best have an impact.
“Stuart English is the most qualified coach at this Football Club, he works with our Under-Nines and Under-Tens.
“We do things differently, being with an older team does not mean you are a superior coach, it is what is best for the players.”
Ose was full of praise for Carsley and said he could help players make the step to the First Team.
“Lee has lifted the mood,” said Ose.
“He is great to have around the place and great with the players.
“His experience of playing is brilliant, it gives the players a good understanding of what it takes to get to the First Team.
“Lee can bring the extra five per cent a player will need, he has been there, he has seen it and done it.
“He has played at international level, he is invaluable for the players and the staff.
“We are here to get players in to the First Team.
“To see Jermaine getting really close gives everyone a lift.
“It gave him a lift but also those around him saw there was a pathway.”
Ose admitted there was now only one target for the Academy, to get players in to Brentford’s First Team.
He said young players were keen to stay at Brentford because of what the Club could offer but potential needed to be turned in to Football League appearances.
“Targets are different for every year,” said Ose.
“We are five years in and the target is to get players in to the First Team.
“Previously it was about developing players and moving players on to professional clubs.
“Now we have players in the professional development phase and we have to get them in to the First Team.
“I am delighted with the staff we have, we have set up this Academy, we are five years in and we have had a lot of interest in our players.
“Our players do not want to leave because of the service we give them.
“They know they won’t get better anywhere else.
“Premier League teams have come in for our players and they want to stay.”
The full video interview can be seen on Bees PlayerHD and more from Ose Aibangee will be on www.brentfordfc.co.uk tomorrow.