https://www.premierleague.com/news/942684 U23s win against Newcastle means that Saints are equal on points with PL2 league leaders Wolves. Also mentions that Ralph was there watching the youngsters again.
Considering that the team was missing many of it's regular first picks it was a very creditable performance. O'Connor has been filling in at Centre Back but his forward runs would suggest that it isn't his best position? Smallbone is maturing nicely too. A lot of promise to be seen there.
They were playing a 3-4-3 formation with O’Connor the LCB. The high press game him freedom to go forward a lot, as did Vokins at LWB. And Smallbone has to get a chance in the first team soon, possibly at Derby?
It's Christoph Klarer to be pedantic, we do have a Christian Norton who was on the bench last night, another one stepping up from the Under 18's squad.
It's traditional for all connected with the Saints to make mistakes, that's the problem with being normal human beings...
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2018-12-17/china-fa-visit-staplewood-december-2018 The Chinese connection starting to work?
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2018-12-18/contract-extension-will-smallbone-southampton-fc-201819 Well deserved.
Jake Hesketh hoping to get his loan deal extended after it expires on January 2nd so that he can play in the next round of the Cup. Won't hurt him to extend the loan and hopefully continue to impress.
Yep, can't deny the chance for the lad to play in a Wembley cup final, no matter how miniscule the odds are.
Just found out that brother’s grandson, currently playing for the Bristol City U8s, is being watched by the Saints. His mum, my niece, has received three phone calls, to date, to test the water. Fingers crossed he is good enough and wants to consider a change in the future.
I wish him well and hope he makes it... however under 8s?? Drives me mad. That will make him 7 or 8 and may have been with Brissle a couple of years. Clubs shouldn’t be signing players this young. Let them free and coach them from about 11 or 12 but no club should be able to sign someone before 14.
No opinion behind this question, but is the coaching important from 7 to 12? Can a kid fall behind or pick up near irreversible bad habits between these ages?
Here's a stat: Saints have gotten 318 PL minutes from players still in their teens from November 1st to today. In three Valery starts and a few weeks, that exceeds the total afforded to young players in any of the preceding three seasons. By Jan 1st, it'll likely exceed the totals for 2014-15, as well. (Tyreke Johnson has more PL minutes than any Saints teenager did in the Puel season, by a 1-0 margin).
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2018...ofessional-contract-southampton-football-club Another new name to conjure with!
I believe they can be coached, but I believe it is wrong for a kid that age to be “signed” by a club. Builds too much expectation, can stifle them if over coached and can put them off the game if rejected. The biggest thing for me is they usually are stopped from playing for their school and local team. The FA should invest in local development centres, or at least have the elite clubs do this without the signing at young ages. The positive is that they can get taught good technique, but all too often size and stature wins through.
