AllSorts

The point being missed is Koeman didn't develop the U21s looking to step up. He blocked them from training with the first team, demoralised them by negative statements in the media and ripping into any who messed up when out of necessity were given a chance. Football performance at this level is so dependent on motivation, morale and confidence. Koeman did not motivate youth. Pochettino did and does. If Puel is true to his word and history we will hopefully see better performances from the 18-22 year olds this season at all levels. Then after this season it will be a lot clearer if the young guns are up to it or not because they will hopefully have been given a real chance. Just hope Koeman hasn't done too much damage to their development.

The youngsters are. They are very pumped up as they see they have a real chance to get more opportunities than last season. Very different atmosphere for them.

Yes there are double sessions and yes they are tough as well as precise. Very different to Koeman, similar to Poch but more technical less power than his.

Claude Puel is going to sign tomorrow with two other coaches under him

I've heard they ain't doing the VO2 thingy this yearCLAIM>

Marcelo Gallardo

I agree Bentley is a good shot stopper but so is Gazzaniga. Distribution of Gazzaniga is far superior though. Coming for high balls about the same. Been to Root Hall a lot too.

I disagree with your conclusion. I have been at most U21 games this season including the away games v Chelsea, Man City and Spurs. Yes last weeks game was a poor performance but in those other three the U21s were very good. Won 3-1 at Stamford bridge with sharp excellent goals from McQueen and Heskey. Won 2-0 v Spurs with goals from Targett and Sims out-battling a team that included Townsend (one trick pony). And deserved more from the 3-1 defeat at Man City. The first team have poor performances yet Koeman refuses to allow many U21s to even train with the first team to get serious experience or get them playing for a few minutes off the bench in cup games and it is a fact Koeman does not even talk to them never mind try and encourage them. He is aloof and arrogant. How are they supposed to develop? Koeman does not develop players his training methods are not a patch on Pochettino nor keep the players as fit as he did. Pochetino thought players like McQueen had potential and gave him his debut. He played reasonably in Feb 2014 not looking out of place. So somehow he's now not good enough. That's because the U21s are stagnating under Koemans reign. They will be going out on loan to get experience cos there is none available at their home club where many of them have spent 12 years. It's rubbish and Koeman bears some responsibility.

Supposed to exercise left brain right brain coordination.

The trouble with u21 football is the inconsistency of lineups. One week the teams have U18 or even U17 players in the squad other days there may be 3/4 recovering/frozen-out first team players. Saints U21s record this season so far shows that without McQueen playing they struggle. I suspect there may be a case for Gazzaniga also having a positive major bearing on Saints U21 winning too. U21 stats with/without McQueen Result Opponents Home/Away McQueen playing McQueen scoring W 2-0 Spurs A Yes 0 L 2-7 Norwich A No L 0-2 Everton H No L 0-2 Sunderland H Yes 0 W 5-2 Reading A Yes 1 W 3-1 Leicester H Yes 1 D 1-1 Middlesbrough H Yes 0 W 3-1 Chelsea A Yes 2 D 2-2 Man City H Yes 0 Win ratio With McQueen P7 W4 D2 L1 57% Without McQueen P2 W0 D0 L2 0% I think it was McQueen who was fouled in the incident that led to the first goal but I may be wrong. I was watching at the Lamex so had no chance to rewind.