http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/714662138?-11205:798 Whatever happens over the coming weeks with MP Adam and Luke lets not forget what stars we have to look forward to over the next few seasons. Four players in the England U19's. JWP captaining the U20's and Sims with the victorious U17's. This club is heading upwards whatever happens in the window. COYR!
A good academy is definitely the way to go...not just economically, you get players that are designed to suit you. Be interesting to see who we get in to replace Dodd and Williams. I wonder who (out of the many possibles) is the next best thing. We produce good professionals, but the likes of Bale, Lallana, Walcott, Oxo and Shaw don't come along too often.
That's good financially..providing we can fully take advantage (unlike Walcott and Bale where we lost the sell on rights), but I want to see a couple of sensations next year...then we claim we were just having a clear out of unwanted players. Anyone know who is the next best thing in the 16-18 age group.
No but they disappear very quickly. Where do you think each of those young Saints England U19s will be playing in a few years time I will be surprised if they are still with us. Unless the rot is stopped now all we will become will be a nursery club for the top half a dozen English clubs. I don't want us to be like poor old Crewe forever being plundered of our talented youngsters or likewise Burnley used to be several years ago.
I think we may lose the top price players (happens to bigger clubs than us), but will hold onto the £10-20 million players, which will save us money and provide us with the players we need. I have banged this drum a lot, but I think we have made players look better than they are in recent years. Our strength is as a team. A few who might move on will find that out. Our financial stability will prevent us from being really plundered.
What surprises me though is that they talk about good our academy is but when was the last time we one any competitions in the various teams?
Think it's more about creating individuals. You can have a team full of future established Championship players or you can have a team with a few future PL players and the rest future L1 and L2 players. The former has the better team, but the latter has players which will be of use to us.
I think its vital Saints fans don't get carried away and consider the different ages of our academy players. Saw a lot calling for Sims and Hesketh to be given a go at least on the bench last year, however I think its easy to forget there are a lot of players older than the pair(Turnball, Rowe, Reed etc ) who have yet to be given much of a chance at senior level. I feel there experience of under 21's level will be more beneficial and probably will mean they are more suited to the jump up. My example is Gallagher. He was fast tracked from the Under 18's into the first team due to unfortunate circumstances - whereas I feel a full year in the under 21's may have helped him more in learning to lead the line rather than being chucked in at the deep end. Next year I expect to see the likes of Reed, Rowe, Turnball and Mcqueen breaking onto the scene Then the likes of Sims, Hesketh and Targett the following year.
I went to Burton to see the England U19s last night Callum Chambers played primarily as a defensive central midfielder and the main distributer when playing out from the back and looked really good/very composed Matt Target - first time I have seen him live and impressed. Good positional awareness, worked well in a disciplined defence, lovely left foot for crossing and knocking the ball down the line for the flying machines England had up front. Surprising good in the air - didn't loose a header once as he climbs early and very high. He isn't as quick as Luke and certainly hasn't got the physical build/strength of Luke but a summer in the gym could sort this. Is he ready for 1st team yet - not just yet for playing against the top teams but sure he will not let us down if called upon. Could do with another season for the U21s and cup run etc Harrison Reed - non-stop energy. Reminded me of Billy Bremner (for you oldies). Came close to scoring from a set piece corner move. Good with the ball and didn't give it away and was first to try and tackle back when we lost the ball
Gareth Southgate quoted as saying that you expect skill like that from Brazil not England....went on to praise JWP.
