You are right...an excellent rad I love everything I hear about our Academy...especially the concentration on character building and integration with the first team. Too many youngsters get themselves into trouble by having footballers' wages when they are too young to handle it. Early success can actually hold back their careers. I think this is a major factor in our success in bringing through so many good youngsters.
Man, they'll all be saying it soon. Sic is out, rad is in. FLT, down with the kids dude... And that's Rad!
I am particularly impressed they make them clean boots. I thought that had gone, but it seems we still do it where others don't. Such a humbling part of the training.
That private tuition bit to get them through their GCSEs would be music to any mother's ears. A good place to entrust your kids. I wonder how many GCSEs Luke got...he did mention that he had been told off by Nicola for his poor work...luckily he will never have to ply his trade as a rocket scientist.
You have to say that overall all the players from Walcott to the current batch do come across well and their public image at least is that of respectful, hard working & modest. Bale has more reason than most to be cocky, but still maintains a relatively shy persona away from the field. Other than a few Dyer incidents i can't recall much bad behaviour and the club showed with Nile Ranger that they're willing to get rid of someone with the wrong attitude I like the fact that the 1st team players occasionally watch the under 18s play. Having all our teams/age groups training in the same complex is probably the best thing the club has done
Pardew said recently that most of the Saints lads come from good families, even going as far as to describe them as middle class. It must be harder for inner city youngsters (eg London)...they tend to have friends who encourage them to run wild and spend their money. Our lads are friends with each other, so it must make it easier to have friends who are also athletes and have the same income as you.
Nice read that, always interesting to hear about our Academy. Reminds me a lot of the Athletic Club system which they have at their Lezama facility, where the senior team train alongside the youth teams, and they often see each other around the facility. They believe that it is important for the senior team to see where they've been, and vice versa, the kids to see who they could become. Clearly we are beginning to reap the benefits.
Interesting that the move to right back seems to have been partially Chambers' idea, supported by the coaching staff. Can't imagine many other places where a teenager would be given that kind of influence over their future.
I expect they were feeding him the suggestion that he would more opportunities in that position. I also believe they shift them around a bit for experience...he may have found he liked it.
A key development philosophy is that young players up to approx 15 play in different positions anyway. It is good for development and understanding of the game.
