Will both the Under 18s & Under 21s doing well this year and Southampton's aim of bringing 50%(?) of future 1st teamers through the ranks I was hoping people could give their opinion on who will make the step up along with a players name that they would liken them to, current ability, potential ability and how many months/years until they are likely to make the first team. For example: James Ward-Prowse Likened to: Paul Scholes Current: 7/10 Potential: 9/10 1st team: Now Cheers, WR
I think the four in the first team will make it Players like Reeves & Hoskins might be good backups or Champ league players imo Then you've got Turnbull, Reed, Mugabi, Sinclair, Seagar, Johns, Gallagher, McCarthy who are all thought of VERY highly! It's exciting times
An interesting question, but one hard to answer as people develop at different ages/time. JWP has played really well, but then when you think he is only 17 at the moment the I'd say he is outstanding. I say outstanding, as being a flare player at a younger age I would have thought less pressure than in the middle mixing it up like he is doing (e.g., Walcott and Oxo versus JWP). Think it is great we have these young players waiting to come through. I've hated the premiership player merry-go-round, just think it means more: When we say they are our players, it doesn't just mean we've bought them. As to the question who is next, I honestly can't say, but can't wait to find out...
Yeah it is a difficult question and I can't wait to find out either (that's kind of what prompted the thread ). Watching the highlights on Saints player there's 1 player that's name keeps popping up & that's Ryan Saegar, he's a goal machine! But then it's going to be difficult for him to break in to the first team as we only play 1 CF. Who was the youngster who came on against SWFC for his debut and who would people liken him to?
Andy Robinson, seems to have been knocking around the age-group teams for a few years. Don't know much about him, maybe another Reeves, in that he might be too old now to realistically break into the first team.
Shaw and JWP will be England regulars. Anyone else think that JWP is extremely similar to Wilshere, but hasn't proven to be injury prone (yet)?
18, just turned 19 - not too old yet! Reeves is nearly 21, and as promising as he looks, can't see him being a big part of our future (unless we go down of course)
No, they're not really that similar. For example, Wilshere's much better on the ball. Good as he is I can't see JWP dribbling through Barcelona's midfield for fun like Wilshere did. Yeah you're right it's ludicrous to write off a player at 19, that's just the impression I get.
They're both technically gifted players who have a lot of composure, not known for their goal scoring but can pick out a range of passes. Both a bit lightweight and short, too. However good Wilshere was a couple of seasons ago, this on going injury is really going to pamper his potential.
You should loan some of these kids to Portsmouth. Especially if they're good defenders. Imagine how conflicted SB3 would be, especially if the loanee turned out to be amazing. It'd be hilarious.
Seagers name does keep popping up this season and Hoskins has been banging them in. Seager has got a real chance with us as has a lot of that age group however I can see Hoskins being a Billy sharp type player in a few years time. A real quality asset in the championship buy just unableto make that step up. Having said that I'd love him to prove me wrong because he's scored some good goals for the U21 team and when on loan. Other players that I think have a good chance of making it are the four already in the team, Gallagher, Sinclair, reed, McCarthy, target and Hesketh. Might of missed a few buy of the top my head there the names that stand out. One things for sure, the future is VERY VERY Bright!!
Fraser Colmer! he popped up on the website after his injury and gets put straight back into the u18 team. Not biased at all btw (i know him in real life)
Slightly off topic, Adkins said that Cropper has just had an op...we're not being lucky at the moment with injuries.
