The departure of Coventry City player Conor Thomas to Liverpool last month put the spotlight firmly onto Gregor Rioch crop of youngsters at the club Academy.
Many fans were disappointed at what they saw as a short sighted view by the club of offloading one of the club's brightest talents for short term financial gain, but the Academy manager Gregor Rioch has different ideas.
Although he was a little disappointed at losing Thomas, Rioch looks on the bright side and takes the view that as one door closes another opens and the door is now wide open for another of Coventry City's youngsters to blaze a career for himself.
Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph, Rioch said: "We have some talented lads here. Conor was a little bit special because he made his debut at Under 18 as an Under 14, which is very rare and he played regularly for the 18s as an Under 15 and 16 and was ready to step up to the first team squad when he went full-time."
"We have been very fortunate that we have had managers very supportive of the Academy and brave to put young lads in and Aidy Boothroyd is certainly progressing our hard work on to another level with the young lads."
"Conor has moved on and that has opened up a nice opportunity for Josh Ruffels and Gael Bigirimana who was on standby for England Under 19s this week. I don't think he will make the squad but he was on standby so that's another carrot for the lads."
"We also have a couple of Wales youth internationals in Will Roberts and Aaron Phillips, and Johnson Harris made his senior debut in August as a 16 year old in the League Cup, to name just a few."
"So we have an array of players that, if they work hard and concentrate and show a desire like Conor did, can progress through the ranks. And it is my job to keep working with the lads to see who is going to be next."
Rioch enthused: "I'm really excited about the group coming in next year and the current crop of first years becoming second years."
"We have a bigger picture which is that three Under 18s have gone out on loan to non-league sides and that's good experience because as first year pros they have got to be looking at first team football, whether at Coventry City or like Callum Wilson has done at Kettering, because there's no real benefit of an Under-19 playing against an Under 16 in my eyes."
Speaking about the exciting prospect Josh Ruffels, Rioch said, "He can sit in and pass and play as a central midfielder or break forward because he's capable of arriving in the box and scoring goals. He's played a lot of football out wide on the left, but, personally, I think he will be a central midfield player."
"He's not an electric wide player who is going to scream past players with pace but he is a naturally gifted footballer who links up well, puts good balls in the box and arrives at the back post from the left or central position. He's a really powerful, strong boy who is exceptional in the air."
He continued: "Although I don't want to put him in the same category because he is different, he's got a bit of Gareth Barry about him."
Finally, speaking abou the fans frustration at losing Conor Thomas Rioch said, "The supporters always want to see one of their own in the side and that's why I was pleased that Jordan Clarke get another game at the weekend."
"Nathan Cameron's done well and my job is to make sure we keep pushing the lads through."