Our Head of Development (or whatever his official title is), Les Reed, is on the Footballers' Football Show on Sky Sports 1 at 11pm tonight. Talking about how to develop young talent and run a successful academy. Thought some of us may want to tune in! DTLW
Thanks DTLW! Your contributions to this forum are invaluable, especially for fans who live in "Forren" lands.............Cheers geeze!!!
Reed: "We are all working to the same philosophy. Therefore, he can pick young players, he can allow young players to make mistakes."
So far fairly mundane, giving our set up a lot of praise and many references to EPPP see http://www.premierleague.com/content/premierleague/en-gb/youth/elite-player-performance-plan.html It looks as though we have the benefit of having Les Reed being involved in it from an early stage.
That's one of MP's favourite sayings...you pick young players and have to let them make mistakes as that is how they learn. Top clubs won't take the risk...which is ridiculous as surely they have top quality players to cover for and help out youngsters.
Discussion has been mainly about the introduction of the new EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan) system. Brentford's manager is also on there, and he has worked for Watford's academy before. All full of praise for Saints and our academy. Reed has been highlighting the importance of having the right mentality of actually wanting to give players a chance.
Les Reed's experience within the game being acknowledged on the show. He himself is presenting what Saints aims are, and the current achevments by the club in bringing so many players through the system to first team level. Nothing Saints fans don't already know, but interesting to the general fan.
Les pointing out that we have a philosophy of introducing 16, 17 and 18 year olds, that are up to it, to train with and play against the first team players, to learn their trade and that the philosophy is endemic throughout the Club from top to bottom.
Really interesting debate on the loan system now. Warburton, Brentford's manager, is promoting its benefits, especially to a lower league club and also developing the players. Whereas, Les feels that the system does not benefit the players or the clubs. He firmly believes that it is better that the younger players get to train with the first team, work with them on a day to day basis, and then mould them into the first team structure. He said that Luke (Shaw) has become such a competent and comfortable player at a young age because he has trained against the likes of Lallana, and alongside internationals like Lovren.
Les says we aren't producing players for the Football League, we are producing players for Southampton Football Club, imo hopefully we produce them and keep them, not flog them off to the highest bidder?
This is a really interesting discussion to me, They are moving on to the benefits, or otherwise, of feeder clubs. Reed is of the view that the u21 league should be improved to provide effective competition in a 'B' league.
I agree with this. I know people keep mentioning our players going out on loan, but we haven't really done this for years. I think that Saints want to train their own youngsters...don't want them leaning bad habits even if they gain experience.
