http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...eration-Saints-players-making-themselves.html Article from the Daily Mail (sorry)... on the back of last nights win
The Daily Mail really do love us, don't they? Which is a bit awkward, as I really do hate the Daily Mail.
No worries. The lads are doing very well indeed. I think they could have singled out several more young players too.
It was a great result but the league form for the lads has been fairly average this season hasn't it? Didn't someone mention that Saints U-18 have a pretty young squad compared to some other teams? (obviously they will be relatively young )
Yeah. I don't think we need worry too much about their winning and losing. Several pundits and coaches say that at certain ages under the first team, it is all about player development and not so much about winning. It's a philosophy I tend to agree with, although it is fun to see the youngsters winning because everyone can say that so-n-so came out of a successful youth side. Plus, as you mentioned, a lot of our youngsters play in the age groups above, so the sides they're playing for will probably be slightly less strong for that reason, but it's all good experience, and helps them to develop faster.
Nice to see that Beatts seems to have some talented youngsters coming through at Accrington, they knocked out West Ham...now where's Trixter?....
And the academy at West Ham used to be as lauded as the one at Saints. Possibly more so, in fact. Whilst results aren't everything, you'd expect a WHU Youth team to beat an AS Youth.
He stands just over six foot three Sammy, Sammy He'll take us to the Champion's League, Sammy, Sammy He gets the ball, he takes the p**s He'll wear the shirt of Matt Le Tiss Sammy Gall'gher, Southampton's goal Machine.
[video=youtube;-QRlyvmRHys]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-QRlyvmRHys[/video]
In other news, here's the clip of the Pompey fan who decided to head for the 3,000 Saints fans in the Itchen on his own... [video=youtube;uVPwpUJg4yQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVPwpUJg4yQ[/video]
Look at what's happening at 5:08 in the highlights. You won't believe your eyes. That piece of footage is unique in football history.
And to think The Mail said he was thier best player. The only good thing I could say for thier defenders is that thier captain has a lovely head of hair, he must brush it 100 times before going nighty nights
I agree, he does have quite a head of hair. He's played a couple of first team matches but I've not been fortunate to see his luscious locks for myself!
Must be clever use of photoshop or something. Pompey fans NEVER leave games early, even the Bible says that.
Spare a moments thought before this silliness goes too far. These were just young lads keen on establishing a career as professional footballers. In the stands on both sides of the grounds there were proud family members who had come along to encourage and support their boys. It all got overtaken by the very silly rivalry that exists and which has marred what should have been a good evening for forty families. If any child or grandchild of mine had been playing the other night I would have expected people on both sides to show some respect and encouragement. This whole affair is just too stupid for words.
"young lads" Like the young lads playing for first teams? If it was a game between nippers 15 and under, then you may have a point, but these are professional footballers (in spirit at least if they haven't signed full contracts anyway) and in the eyes of the law, adults. The fans can get as involved as much as they want. The clubs encouraged people to turn out and support their respective teams, they didn't expect fans to just sit in silence as not to offend the families of the players. As with any job, you have to face pressure at some point, it can either make you or break you, that's life. If anything, this was a hugely valuable experience for both sets of players as they normally play in front of a few dozen people tops. So it's a good stepping stone between that and possibly being suddenly called into a first team game. At least they have now experienced playing in front of a decent (and hostile) crowd.
