All signed a pro deal back in November 2010, when we were playing Brighton in League One. Fast forward to August 2013 and all are on the fringes or playing regularly for Saints in the Premier League. This truly is the Golden Generation of our Academy. I honestly don't think we've ever had, or will have, such a great intake in the ranks. It really is great stuff. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Whilst I've been championing Omar Rowe since July 2011, when I saw him play against Totton.
Fixed mostly but can't get rid of the thumbnails. Well remembered, I knew it wasn't long since Chambers moved to RB. If Isgrove gets on the pitch soon then that will be four 18 year olds.
Oh man. Still, awesome. Ok, I also like that they didn't give up on people like Reed even though they weren't the shining lights going into the first team at 17.
Shaw's hair is looking good. JWP might as well have jumped in a time machine after the photo and come out today.
The odd (and perhaps bittersweet) twist in all this is that in another two or three years we might find ourselves again selling some of the Academy's best products for 8 or 9 million pounds, maybe even double-digits. Not because we need the money, but because those players still aren't good enough to make the cut. Wouldn't surprise me if someone in this group ends up being one of them.
Very pleased that in our first 3 games of the season we have played 6 18 year olds: JWP Shaw Chambers Rowe Reed Sinclair.
Has always been the case, ISIRTP. The list of academy products who just weren't quite good enough for Saints is a long one. Off the top of my head I can think of Jake Thomson, Aaron Davies, Scott MacDonald, Simon Gillet, Jamie White, Sam Hoskins, Ben Reeves, and now I have to think a wee bit, so I'll stop there.
Lloyd James, Michael Poke, Olly Lancashire, David McGoldrick Whilst not star names, we should be proud of each and every one of these players, who are all carving out decent careers in the lower leagues. We've so many ex-academy players scattered around everywhere, and now the bar has been raised further. It's all very exicitng.
As someone once said (I've forgotten who, may have been the head of youth at Milan). An academy should not be judged by how many world class players they bring through, as these players would've made it anywhere such is their talent level. An academy should be judged on how many players with average talent they can help forge a career as a professional as these are the ones who at lesser academies would fall by the wayside and not make a career. Not word for word, but that was the general gist . In that respect I think we have done very well
Disagree with this, a great academy can make a decent prospect into an excellent prospect. Players don't always have the full package to make it anywhere. The odd player yes, but most players I don't think so.
