The Super 7

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Saints Fan4Life said:
Lloyd James, Michael Poke, Olly Lancashire, David McGoldrick

Whilst not star names, we should be proud of each and every one of these players, who are all carving out decent careers in the lower leagues. We've so many ex-academy players scattered around everywhere, and now the bar has been raised further. It's all very exciting.
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and Dexter Blackstock, Leon Best

I always think of Dexter and Leon when I'm reminded of McGoldrick. Essentially they were part of the family silverware, back then, and were certainly good enough at the time. Just thought of Tim Sparv, who is having a successful career in Germany. I believe he still looks for Saints results, even though he played no competitive matches for us. Says a lot.
 
Saints Fan4Life said:
Disagree with this, a great academy can make a decent prospect into an excellent prospect. Players don't always have the full package to make it anywhere.

The odd player yes, but most players I don't think so.
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Have to say, I agree and disagree. A great academy helps to bring out the full potential of every player that passes through the ranks. They could end up being Non-League or World Class, but they are able to give of their best, because an academy brought them along the way. For me, that's a successful academy. However, Saints, by dint of their reputation of quality, are going to select players that they can mould and work with, and fashion good and great players out of them.
 
Saints Fan4Life said:
Disagree with this, a great academy can make a decent prospect into an excellent prospect. Players don't always have the full package to make it anywhere.

The odd player yes, but most players I don't think so.
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I see what you are saying, but I think his point was if a player has the kind of level of talent that say Bale has, he will make it at some level of pro football. It is the borderline talent level players that whether they make a living or not is much more down to their early football education
 
Success begets success. If you're the next Ronaldo, Messi or Pele and you're looking at Academies, which would you pick?
 
Some of those guys from 2005-2008 really suffered from the financial problems we had. All the background support, educational, medical stuff got cut to save cash, and all that, plus having the facilities to make it work, is really the basis of why we have been so successful since ML/NC.
 
Apologies if mentioned elsewhere, but I thought it was appropriate to put here, as James Ward-Prowse becomes the latest Saints player to become an U21 England squad addition. Thoroughly deserved too. Gareth Southgate could also take a look at Calum Chambers [already] to pick alongside Nat Clyne and Luke Shaw [if fit].
 
Our Academy can only get better as well. So many youngsters on the fringes of the first team squad.
 
What I also like about our academy is we have many english or uk talent. Instead of doing what other teams do and pack it with cheap foreign youngster buys.
 
Couldn't find Luke at first...he's grown a bit since then hasn't he? This group of boys was referred to as our golden generation at the time, but pleased to see that there are other players coming through behind them. I'm proud that we also turn out boys, who though not good enough to play for us, go on to carve out a career elsewhere. And even if they don't make it in football, our Academy probably stands them in good stead in life and helps turn out decent human beings.
 
Saints Fan4Life said:
Lloyd James, Michael Poke, Olly Lancashire, David McGoldrick

Whilst not star names, we should be proud of each and every one of these players, who are all carving out decent careers in the lower leagues. We've so many ex-academy players scattered around everywhere, and now the bar has been raised further. It's all very exicitng.
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dont forget joseph mills and matt paterson. and all the other older players. mcgoldrick and best et al.
 
fran-MLs little camera said:
Couldn't find Luke at first...he's grown a bit since then hasn't he? This group of boys was referred to as our golden generation at the time, but pleased to see that there are other players coming through behind them. I'm proud that we also turn out boys, who though not good enough to play for us, go on to carve out a career elsewhere. And even if they don't make it in football, our Academy probably stands them in good stead in life and helps turn out decent human beings.
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Luke had only just turned 15 bless him.
 
Who would've though that when they penned those deals that in 2013 they'd be in a top 8 Premier League side which can boast players with the reputation and pedigree of Dani Osvaldo, Dejan Lovren, Victor Wanyama et al?

Marvellous.
 
Excellent. Good post to bump now and then. He only had a four minute cameo, but Scholes seems to have regained his energy levels; when did we sign him?
 
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