Not at the highest level - Paul Dalgleish, Darren Ferguson, (Nigel Clough - was half decent actually) are 2/3 examples of football being about who you know - they didn't do anything at the highest level. Holt has worked his way up and earned it - he then goes and scores 15 goals in the prem. If players are good enough they'll usually find their level (and that's good or bad)... look at smalling, had to work up from non-league, others did it like guppy, wright, mcateer, loads have. Many failed footballers use the it's who you know as an excuse - maybe they don't have the mentality if they're saying that or maybe simply they just aren't good enough. What they need to do though is play at a level maybe semi-pro and if they're good enough then there are enough clubs and scouts, etc. out there. There must be players who slipped through the net but to say 10 of your mates are better than a premiership footballer is a little naive!