by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

ANDY Wilkinson and Carl Dickinson are living proof that professional players are now developing later in life.

That’s the verdict of Stoke manager Tony Pulis after seeing the two Academy graduates take their time to make any lasting impact on first-team affairs.

Wilkinson enjoyed his longest-run yet in Stoke’s first team last season at the age of 24, while Dickinson is still being nurtured for a possible Premier League future at 22.

“For a long time I’ve held the belief that players are maturing later these days, particularly at the very highest level of the game,” Pulis argued.“I think life is a lot easier for youngsters growing up in the game nowadays and maybe that leaves them a bit softer than when people like me were growing up.

“It therefore takes a bit longer to knock players into shape for the cut and thrust of the real thing.

Pulis has long been critical of the Academy system and accused it of pampering youngsters instead of toughening them up for the greater physical challenge of senior football.

But he also believes the shape of the modern-day football season works against the blooding of young players earlier in their career.

“In the old days, there would be far more ‘dead’ games at the end of a season and that’s when you’d throw in the kids for valuable experience. But with the play-off system and a shorter Premier League, very few teams can put their feet up and blood the youngsters much before the last couple of matches, if then.

“Andy and Carl are two examples of lads maturing that bit later than they might have done in the past.

“Andy, especially, came in and was magnificent for us last season, showing great mental strength to compete so well against a lot of household names.

“Carl is a similar kind of character and one we are giving time to for the same reasons as Andy.

“His chances were limited here last season, but he went out and did well at a demanding club like Leeds United when he was on loan there.”

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