When Tottenham were in the depths of despair under Thomas Frank, with the Dane's popularity plummeting, he curiously opted against an easy way to win back the fanbase.
He neglected the club's academy, or at least only offered our brighest hopes rare opportunities.
There's nothing quite like seeing your own prosper among the elites. We were blessed for almost a decade with Harry Kane, who emerged from the "one-year wonder" slander to become the club's all-time record goalscorer and potentially a Ballon d'Or winner.
Harry Winks gave it a good go for a little while, while Oliver Skipp's time in the sun was brief. Both have since contributed to Leicester City's sad demise, although Winks somehow found a way to escape to Sardinia in the summer.
There hasn't been much to champion on the homegrown front otherwise, but fresh hope has emerged in recent years. Mikey Moore has all the makings of a crowd-pleaser, and Lucá Williams-Barnett has already been lauded as a "diamond" by Roberto De Zerbi.
Williams-Barnett's glistening preseason certainly took the Italian aback, and if Spurs' attacking woes continue to simmer, supporters will doubtless be crying for a youthful injection.
Mykhailo Mudryk injury should open door for Williams-Barnett
The 17-year-old has been involved with the senior squad at the start of the new season, featuring off the bench in our Carabao Cup rout of Charlton Athletic last month. Williams-Barnett is yet to make his Premier League bow.
The teenager is a masterful problem-solver who has a knack for making defenders look silly. He's a supreme talent with all the makings of a future Lilywhite star.
But that shouldn't prevent Williams-Barnett from contributing in the here and now. Let's face it, our frontline remains a concern despite three summer arrivals, with De Zerbi struggling to establish an optimal combination.
Mathys Tel is toiling down the left flank, and his deputy, Mykhailo Mudryk, could be out for two months with an ankle injury. Now, Sávio is capable on both sides, and I expect he may emerge as the first choice once Mohammed Kudus is fully up to speed.
However, there's still room on the depth chart for Williams-Barnett, who's more likely to be used out wide than as a No. 10 at the start of his senior career. There's seemingly less risk involved, plus the presence of a surging left-back means he'd be able to freely drift into central zones anyway.
This isn't a "SAVE US, LWB!" plea, but a reminder for De Zerbi—I'm sure he's reading—that the kid is there. He's earned himself some cameos, and the chance to showcase his fearless talent among the very best. Patience is wearing thin with Tel, and should the Italian's unwavering faith in the Frenchman persist, he'll start to lose factions of the fanbase if the attack continues to falter.
The 17-year-old manifests as an easy popularity boost for the manager should he need it.
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