robdevil7

Well, I'm not calling him a bastard I must add. I just think he's a bit of a typical teenager into this hippity-hop culture. I know I sound old but I'm actually 19. Shaw just gives me this unfavourable impression that's all. But I suppose footballers have never been known to be absolute angels. They're rarely intelligent and full of depth; and it seems when they are, it is a flimsy and hollow attempt e.g. Joey Barton.

See, that's what I've heard, but on the website it says he supports us, so I 'unno.

I dunno if anyone else has noticed this but Targett seems like a really nice person. I'm not bitter, but Luke Shaw seemed like a bit of a dull, vacuous bellend; a great player, but there was just something about him. Targett seems humble, introverted and very amiable. Isn't he also a Saints fan? If so - and if he's also a player with great ability - then that could really bode well for us in the long-term.

Thank you very much. Good to see Sam McQueen around the squad. We should really be looking to give him some minutes as we're a little short on the wings and for speed in general. Good to see Flannigan, but he likely won't feature this team considering the plethora of central midfield talent. Will probably see him next season in the cups. What I will say is it's really nice knowing that I can say with confidence that we will be playing our new crop of younger players (Reed, McQueen, etc) in the cups and perhaps even the league next season. They will get an opportunity. It's a far cry from Chelsea or Manchester City whose fans would be lucky to witness even one player being blooded. In five years time I do think we'll be truly established around the nation as a great place to nurture young talent exceptionally well and actually play them. I can only imagine this will attract some of the best talent. Here's to the future.

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/01052014-gallery-training-pre-swansea-city-away-1522080.aspx Here's the link to the training photos. There seems to be more youngsters training. Can anyone name them? I think Turnbull and Stephens are there, but I can't tell the other(s).

Seamus Own-goalman

Well done, Matt! Very happy to see him on the bench. I obviously hope he can push on next season and provide competition for Luke.

I really think we need to get Gallagher on in some quantity. We're too impotent in our attack.

Welcome!

Just like you have thought, I also think he could be afforded a chance because he is a winger. He of course won't be relied upon next season, but he could take Isgrove's squad place, subsequently nearing him further towards the first team. Admittedly I haven't seen Sims play, but from what I've heard of him sounds delightful.

As already mentioned in another thread, he started for England U-17s today. It shows good progress. Now, considering he's breaking into the U-21s and has achieved international recognition, does anyone think he may be afforded a few minutes towards the end of the season?

I WAS BEING IRONIC

Now that I've got your attention, I would like to inform y'all of the transfers we need to make. I don't know of any specific players we should or could sign, but the positions i think we need to address. First of all, I think we should consider a new goalkeeper. Boruc is of course a great 'keeper, but I think this season has proved that we need a more consistent goalkeeper. I personally don't think we will sign another 'keeper, but I do think it would be ideal. A centre back! Now, if towards the end of this season we decided to experiment Chambers at CB and it worked, then I don't think it would be necessary. Fonte and Turnbull would make good back-ups. If this move is not made, then a centre back should definitely be on the cards. A right winger! Move Lallana to the no. 10 position and Jay stays at left wing. A creative CM! I think Cork/Wanyama are great DEFENSIVE midfielders, but we are desperately in need of a creative box-to-box player. If I was manager, I would try experiment Ramirez in this role, as I think he would suit it extraordinarily well, but it will not happen. A striker! Lambert and Gallagher as back-up; replaced with an established, clinical striker. That is my say. I'm sorry this thread isn't the most exciting, but these are the positions I think are the most important to attend to. What do you groovy mothereffers think?

In honesty, if he was good enough, such talk wouldn't have materialised. However, it is truly sad to see him leave. The whole situation is a bit strange and sad really. He made his debut for us in a new wave of academy products, then he just seemed to vanish completely up until now. Well, wish him luck.

How did JWP play?

He looks like a bit of a bellend... but I just can't quite put my finger on what exactly it is that makes me think that...

"I am all for getting behind the players, but Puncheon is one of the worst players I have seen in a palace shirt for a long while. He wanders about off the ball. No work rate at all, when he seemed to have that at other sides... He gives the ball away more than anyone else and holds the ball for too long. He gets pushed off the ball too easily. Cannot pass it ten yards. I am sick of watching him already, one thing we certainly cannot afford is players that arent willing to roll their sleeves up and work for the side and he is not pulling his weight. On top of this, I stayed behind after the swansea game to get some photos and autographs for my son and niece. He didnt give any fans the time of day and pretty much told one fan to **** off...the fan was simple to put it fairly and it was really not on. I want this **** as far away from our club as possible" Opinion of a Crystal Palace fan just before Christmas. Since then, the fans have consistently held a very negative view of him. In retrospect, was it the right decision selling him despite the depth he could have provided us?

So, I never watched him today, but from what I've heard he didn't do too well. That's totally understandable considering he's been out of action for a while. What's everyone's opinion of him? Has he made a good impression or a bad one? I'm not too sold on him to be honest. I can see what he brings, but his footballing ability is lacking at times.

I think the last Barcelona match featured 7 starting players that were academy products. Impressive figures indeed. I think we can soon match such figures. When I do say soon I mean within 2-3 years, but that is mightily splendid nonetheless. If and when we do that, imagine what kind of message that would send to young footballers everywhere. As seen, a top-class academy will attract a lot of youngsters to want to join our academy as they know that if they are good enough, they will be given an opportunity. I'm very excited for our future. The signs are good so far.

It's a long way away yet I know, but when does everyone predict that this achievement will happen? In Shaw, Chambers, JWP, Reed, Lallana, Gallagher, we've already 6 players who I think could hold their own at this level, and there are many more to come - which surprises me. There's a common saying among football fans that you're lucky to get 2-3 players into the first team squad per an academy squad, but there seems to be a genuinely consistent conveyor belt of players we possess. I'm hearing good things from player such as Targett, Gape, Sims, etc, so it seems to back up my claims of our academy's consistency. I also believe we don't have to worry about losing Shaw for the time being. He's said in an interview of recent that he's staying, so I don't know why these rumours persist. I think it's safe to say he's staying for a few more years. But I digress. Anyways, when do we see it happening?

After watching the match yesterday, it occurred to me that instead of being shaped into a right back, he should instead become a centre back. The reasons for why I think this is I just believe he has the characteristics to play there. Sometimes I think he's a little too slow and cumbersome to play the more athletic role of right back, but with his great ability on the ball and imposition, I truly believe he could excel there. Anyone else agree?

How do you know he would prefer to play for England?

I'm glad to see my thread has been met with such fervour and kindness. I'm honestly not attempting to be contentious; it's just an opinion I think has some validity. I'm not saying he's a bad player - because he's not - but his ability with the ball at his feet is a little questionable of quality. But if it's any consolation I do think he's going to become a great player - I never doubted that.

So, I've been thinking about it for a bit, and I have come to the conclusion that he simply doesn't have great technique. Of course he's terrific at set pieces and passing, but his actual ability with the ball isn't exceptional, or even what we may make it out to be. This is why I think he struggles often in matches. It's often hard for him to dominate matches because of this. Am I the only one who thinks this?