Kevin Phillips has been encouraged by Kristjaan Speakman's academy proposals after the minutes from Sunderland's fan meeting were published.
The Sunderland legend has been vocal about the Black Cats inability to keep hold of their best young talent, and Speakman told fans that the club was aiming to “create potential assets” by providing “elite opportunity for local players”.
Since, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' arrival on Wearside, the 24-year-old has wasted no time in rebuilding the infrastructure at the club, prioritising the academy set-up.
Phillips has been impressed by the earlier messages coming our of the Stadium of Light, but says "actions speak louder than words" and will wait to see whether the plans are a success.
Speaking to Football Insider after the Sunderland Supporters' meeting, Phillips said: “It’s great news to hear him say that.
“That is what his job is at the end of the day. He has been brought in to help recruit players into the first team but his biggest priority is keeping young talent at the club.
“It is about persuading them to stay and trying to find them a route into the first team.
“That is his job so it is good to hear him address it but I have always said actions speak louder than words. We will wait and see next season.
“Yes, it is an encouraging sign to hear those noises but now we need to actually see it happen.”
