He's Everton manager now, but what was wrong was saying that the youngsters weren't good enough in public when he was Saints manager. He's welcome to say that to Les Reed or the coaches at the time (it's an opinion after all) but to speak out about our USP was bad. Must have done wonders for morale. However, no need to get knickers too much in a twist....he probably didn't set out to say something that would lead to a whole article about it....journalists are always looking for an angle, a hook....so they ask leading questions.
Koeman seems to have conveniently forgotten he was in every competition we were in this year. he just got knocked out of them. We only did well in the EFL cup because our youth were better than other teams reserves. "Now they don’t play in Europe tell me which young player is now in the first team? Nobody." Stephens, Koeman. We had 5 in the team the other week.... Though if you didn't pay attention to our youth while you were here, wouldn't expect you to while you're not.
To be fair, Stephens was at Swindon most of the time Koeman was here, but it's no excuse for not keeping an eye on his progress.
Sam McQueen as well. Josh Sims has played a few times. And, if I'm right, wasn't the Everton boy, Davis, blooded last season, so hardly Koeman risking an unknown quantity. The risk was taken by his predecessor.
TBF (even though it sticks in my craw) Stephens' opportunities arose because we lost 2 CBs in Virgil and Fonte. He's grabbed his chance and is learning from it, but I don't think he'd have many chances if the other 2 were available.
Amusingly, Josh Sims even played (and assisted) in the game against Everton. Koeman - you were there! JWP also played in that one, McQueen off the bench and Reed on the bench
This particular quote of his makes me realised he is an egotistical prick. Any decent person, even if asked the questions by an interviewer, would say that they don't need to comment about a previously club. His ego is so big he can't help himself. I always liked the job he did for Saints and the stick previously from me was all pantomime villain stuff. Now he's beginning to really show the person he is.
Koeman should probably rise above it and take the criticism on the chin, but something must still wrangle with him. Ultimately several coaches/managers will have a hand in a players development over his career. Only the egos will try and take credit away from the player themselves
Tbf to him he has played a lot of youth at Everton since being there, Davis, Holgate, Pennington, Calvert-Lewin off the top of my head, probably a couple of others aswell. Whether that has been forced on him by injuries I'm not too sure though. Wasn't a very good move to criticise our youth in public like he did last year, but he does generally give pretty straight answers in interviews so was probably just answering a question about his opinion on the youth.
Interesting stats based article on the output of the Academy: http://www.thestatszone.com/articles/southamptons-youth-academy-success-in-numbers
Important game tomorrow with a very real threat of relegation. If we lose and 2 of the 3 teams below us win (for derby they just need to draw or lose by 2 goals less than us ) then we go down. If we draw with both Derby and Leicester winning we still go down. Win and we're safe.
Strange to put Joshie in the Academy thread....I want to see more of him next season. There's a touch of Billy Whizz* about him. *Younger readers ask your Grandad.
Would like to see him spend the summer in the gym to muscle up so that he is harder to knock off the ball but does show a lot of potential. As it stands I would rather have him on the pitch instead of Boufal (hopefully that will change next season as Boufal develops)