Is Jonny Howson the next big thing to roll off the Elland Road production line?

Jonny Howson is on course to become the next big thing to roll out of the Thorp Arch academy.

"..an academy graduate of misleadingly cherubic appearance..." purred the Times, as Howson deputised for Jonathan Douglas in the hard-fought 2-1 win over Swindon Town.

The 19-year-old emerged from the JPT shock defeat over Bury with great credit and we are now asking, have we got another star from the academy?

Given our current lowly status, this concept has an element of fear in it. In the glory days of Kewell, Woodgate and Smith, we were one of England's biggest clubs and it seemed unthinkable we could lose any of them - although we did largely due to financial meltdown and our slow plummet down the leagues!

The fear factor is that anyone half-decent could now be picked off by Premiership clubs, even after a handful of matches for Leeds.

Take Scott Carson for example, I read last week he is rated in the 10m bracket - he wasn't even a regular at Leeds when Liverpool lured him - he hasn't really been a regular there and has been farmed off to Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and now Aston Villa on loan.

Aaron Lennon is another gem. Even academy players such as Rose, Tiawo and Woods have been lured off to bigger and better things.

But we are enjoying Jonny, yet another home-grown product whilst we can. Lets hope it lasts and more gems from Thorp Arch can be found - for our benefit!

Photo: Action Images

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