Interview with Matt Crocker on player. Didn't talk specifically on any of the new lads but said many have already featured for the under 18s and had been training with Dodd and the team for a few years. The academy will continue to emulate the style of the 1st team and the Southampton way. That's a high temp style with and without the ball. Meaning the players don't only have to be fit, but great technically for a passing style and bright with a good football brain to adjust to different tactical changes. Education was highlighted. Psychology will be given greater emphasis in the curriculum. This will help the players to understand and adapt a winning mentality and to deal with the demands of being a professional footballer. A player that does well in the classroom will learn quicker on the pitch. The clubs continued commitment and vision of creating a clear pathway for the youngsters to the 1st team was again re-enforced. Perhaps the more interesting part of the interview was him highlighting Matt Targett for praise as a player the new intake should try to follow. A 1st year scholar last year, who became an u21 regular and now looking to push for the 1st team. Sounds like he will be pushed to by pass Fox this season.
As said, very interesting interview. I was interested to hear that, although they want to win matches, development of the players was paramount in order to bring them through for the first team. Said that sometimes they will play a boy who is not quite ready if they think that playing him will help his development. Winning not being the be all and end all. Also confirmed that the Academy is emphasising the pressing game favoured by Mauricio. Was very nice to see the proud families with their respective sons...most will have made sacrifices in both money and time to get their kids to this point.
George Mells is a prodigy of Coerver and there is a tape stating this soon to be realised .Has refused call up by Greece, and now is becoming an English Citizen since Saints welcomed him and looked after him his loyalty lies with them and England. Technically one of the best forward playing players in the country and if he was a citizen now would have been called up to U/16 England team. A grounded lad who eats,sleeps football. Go Saints we have a great Academy.
Little nit pick...you can become a British citizen and then choose a home nation to play for, but you can only be English by birth. This may change if Scotland go it alone. Sorry, back to the football.
