You have to remember that Sam G isn't a fully fledged Academy Player he only joined us in 2012 from Plymouth Academy so hasn't had the full treatment.
We rarely do loans. Saints prefer to keep their prospects here training with PL players than letting them go out to learn bad habits elsewhere. Usually players are on their way out if they go out on loan.
He was banging them in for the youth team to begin with, but seemed rushed into the first team mainly due to Osvaldo and now an injury to Rodriguez. I think striker is a tough position for a youngster as you are ultimately judged on goals. As others have said, a new striker will put him down the pecking order, but will allow him more game time in the U21s and hopefully give him a chance to bang in the goals and build his confidence whilst playing the odd part in first team matches (like Reed is now) He's got the build to be a successful player, just needs to learn to use it to his advantage, and I like how he isn't afraid to get stuck in.
I've not been entirely convinced but we need him in the scenario we find ourselves, and he applies himself and has a good attitude. He has ability, we know that from his performances at U21 and U18 level. Mauricio has told Sam he is coming with the senior squad for their pre-season training, so lets hope this is another forward step.
Who remembers Shearer and even an older(than Sam) Beattie when he 1st started with us? Shearers debut hat-trick always masks what was a fairly modest goals return in his early seasons. Shearer was often the workhorse running the channels and creating space for Le Tissier & Wallace to bang in the goals. Beattie had the touch of a man without permission and it was not until Strachan got him fit and his head in the right place that he began to surpass what many thought he could do. I thought Sam put in a great shift yesterday. In the 1st half he turned some fairly hopeful punts up to him into positive situations. There were some moments of inexperience. His runs were not always well timed or in the right areas. In the second half he tried to take on two Everton defenders after a clearance instead of trying to win a throw and go for the percentages option, which would of eased a spell of Everton pressure. The lad has a future in the game. Whether that happens in the premier league is perhaps 50/50 right now, but more performances with the same attitude and you'd be foolish to write him off now.
I think an adept comparison here is Jay Rodriguez. Both were clearly good athletes but still were super raw upon entering the first team and think of how much Jay has progressed since then. Sam has height and could stand to put on a little muscle but he is quick enough over short distance to compliment our style and to keep defenders busy. Much of what he needs is seasoning and technical progress which is the aim of having him in and around the team this season. He may not be the best in the world, but we can't expect every player to pan out. Theres a good 3 or 4 years before we need to consider whether it's going to work out for him here or not.
Far too much common sense here James G, he comes from the Academy and so should be a messiah at 17/18 Spot on with the comments. Not everyone that steps on the pitch is going to make it for us. However..... Harrison Reed. I've only seen his cameo against Citeh and yesterday. I think that lad has something.
Pundits are already saying that Harrison Reed is going to be the new Paul Scholes. Of course that's way over hyped, but as Martin Keown admitted when he saw Luke Shaw playing at 16, it was the worst kept secret that he was special. Harrison Reed had been well and truly noticed before he even hit the fringes of the first team.
Also the fact that he's not even a designated squad number for 3 years so we can have him AND a more established senior forward without wasting money or a squad place. Reed is interesting for me as I really have not seen much of him at youth level, also I haven't seen him do anything of note for the first team but I admittedly don't get to watch every game. Would love to see more of him, hopefully a start before the season is out. I'm not disputing anyone who claims he's the cat's pajamas. Just haven't seen it myself.
As I said before, he looks like he is growing into his body. Like trying to drive a truck when your only experience is in a car, it can take a while for the brain to adjust to a growing body. It was mentioned by a commentator that the first OG was caused by the strength of Gallagher...the defender was aware of him at his shoulder.
I'm glad you've noticed it too. I've not seen him play a full game at any level either, but just the way he handles himself on the pitch is enough for me. When the ball is in around him he is looking to make something happen, looks to have a great awareness of the runs of others. a strong technique. A busy player as they say. I expect his size and strength have probably seen his chances limited at this stage, but of course that will improve as he gets older. If you like a conspiracy then his chances have been limited because we can't be bothered to deal with any more rumours about our players
Sounds plausible Les Reed must feel like a guard dog at the moment, especially as the rabid rottweiler left in January.
Thats interesting, what you say about Shearer. I always thought that I was a good judge of a player until he came along. When he went to Blackburn I made a point of telling everyone that he wasn't as good as people thought he was! How wrong was I? Gallagher looks OK for his age. However, often at youth level the big guy will be selected ahead of the smaller, more talented player. I obviously don't know if this has happened with Sam but he looks a decent prospect. Yesterday, he played against the 5th best team in the league and although he didn't set the world alight, he didn't look out of place either. What's with all the slipping up though? And not just him, everyone was at it. That pitch was being watered even during the rain of February.
Shows how well we prepare our young players when they can step calmly into a PL match. A commentator made that very observation when Gallagher made his debut...remarked how unfazed he looked.
Those that were paying attention yesterday will have noticed Big Sam G changed his boots after ten minutes of slipping and sliding.
still fell over a bit afterwards, but not nearly as much. it makes me very uneasy when we are passing it around at the back, that with all the pitch watering, they are a slip away from presenting the opposition with a one on one.
I agree, and Dejans slide tackle was down to the fact he was going at a fair lick and the brakes didn't work!
