Moore to come from Luke?

How times change.

Six years ago I was sent to Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground to interview two of the club's rising stars just before their FA Youth Cup Final against Everton.

Luke and Stefan Moore were introduced to me as two shy lads. They spoke politely, with great enthusiasm for football and were excited about their ambitions for the future.

They were to score three of the four goals (Luke scored once, Stefan twice) which helped Villa win 4-2 on aggregate against an Everton side featuring a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney.

Since then the Moore brothers have lost their way a little. I know little of Stefan, other than the fact that he's now at Kidderminster following a brief spell at Walsall.

Luke, as we know, is busy warming Albion's bench. And try as you might, it's difficult to know what makes him tick.

The enthusiastic, raw and polite boy I met in May 2002 has gone. In his place is a sullen, unenthusiastic individual, who gives the impression of wanting to be anywhere other than a football pitch. It makes you wonder whether he even enjoys football - his body language and demeanour suggests otherwise.

The hunger and spark appears to have gone from his belly. Tony Mowbray assures us that Moore is part of his plans - but then he has to say that, not least as only has three senior strikers to choose from. Moore should be at the front of that three-man queue yet it's fair to say that he's very much a third-choice. You can't help wondering whether Mowbray is losing his patience a little.

So what makes Moore tick?

One theory is certainly worth looking into. Football academies are a wonderful environment for youngsters to develop and polish their game. Villa's is among the best and has been for years. Albion's is catching up fast. In the long run they can save clubs millions in transfer fees and make them money.

Yet these centres take youngsters away from a natural environment and nurture them through a cosseted footballing sphere where they are groomed for the game from an early age. They effectively swap their childhood and young adulthood for football. This can have its advantages. Naturally, the kids will know how clubs operate, the demands they will become accustomed to and the environment in which they will work. They want for nothing as far as their football is concerned.

But there is another side. Reality. Take this kind of footballer out of their little world and they're struggling to grasp what you and I take for granted - that being normality.

Geoff Horsfield gave up a life in the building trade to pursue his dream. Likewise, had it not been for football, Lee Hughes might currently be sat on your roof replacing tiles. Bob Taylor, brought up in Durham's mining community, would have spent most of the mid-80s worrying for his livelihood against the backdrop of the dying coal-mining industry had he not pitched up at Leeds United. These footballers know hard work, knew the realities of life outside of football and it was reflected by their performances and work-rate on the pitch. They played football knowing that they could end up back on the roof or the building site if they didn't pull their weight on a Saturday afternoon. As a result the three players performed with a smile on their faces and could relate to supporters who, likewise, knew where their heroes were coming from.

If Luke Moore was to lose his footballing livelihood what would he do? The fact he could probably retire to a life of wealth suggests that maybe life-after-football wouldn't be an issue. Perhaps this too is a problem. Maybe he loves the trappings of his footballing life and the wealth a little too much to appreciate what he has. Is the motivation and ambition what it should be for a player of his ability and age? Does he care enough when he walks out onto the pitch or the training ground?

Albion fans are struggling to warm to Moore. He's a footballer who had all the talent and boyish enthusiasm in the world just a few years ago. The talent remains, but the sparkle seems to have long gone. One can forgive a lack of ability and even a poor strike rate as long as the effort is there. But supporters will never forgive a lack of drive and determination. And they are currently being short-changed.

Somewhere within Luke Moore there is a great footballer waiting to be unleashed onto the Premier League stage. Moore has the hallmarks of being a great player. If he wants to be.

Whether we see this player re-emerge onto the pitch remains to be seen.

Only Luke Moore can do this.