Tony Pulis: Sam Field has done well to bridge the huge gap
Sam Field's recent performances have been all the more impressive because of the ‘outrageous’ gap between academy football and the Premier League.
That’s according to Tony Pulis, who doesn’t want the promising teenager playing under-23s football next season.
The 19-year-old started against Burnley and Chelsea before he was replaced by Claudio Yacob at Manchester City, but Field could return to the line-up on the final day of the season away at Swansea.
Pulis has been impressed with Field’s cameos at the end of the campaign, but will wait until after pre-season before he decides whether to send him out on loan.
“Sam’s had a real good taste of it,” said Pulis. “He’s done very well and we’ve been very pleased.
“We’ve got a problem in the country with the academy. Up to 18 it’s ok, but from 18 to 23 we’ve got a massive void.
“The club’s have got to understand these top kids need to be able to play men’s football, they can’t be wallowing away in kids football at 17 or 18 if they’re Premier League quality.
“The academy system is not all that it should be in my opinion.
“If you’re going to spend the amount of money clubs are spending on academies now you’ve got to put in place something that will get them as close as you possibly can to Premier League football.
“The gap between under-23s and Premier League football is just outrageous.”
Three Championship clubs approached Albion in January to take Field on loan, but with no recall option available, Pulis didn’t risk letting him leave with such a small squad at his disposal.
He is eager for Field to get a taste of men’s football, but hasn’t ruled out keeping him again, should he be knocking on the door for a first-team place.
“We’ve got to see where we are after pre-season,” he said. “If he’s part of the group then brilliant, but if he’s not then we have to get him out and give him at least six months of real football.”
Field lined up against Chelsea’s superstars last week and impressed during 51 minutes in central midfield.
But Pulis thought his trip to Turf Moor was more beneficial for his development, because it was against one of the more physical teams in the league.
“Burnley was difficult, because they play in a much more physical manner than he would have experienced at academy level,” said Pulis.
“And then to play against the champions, I’m sure he won’t forget it. Ain’t it wonderful for him. I’ve been really pleased.”
