brightspark Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 While a lot of us are getting miserable, personally I've been pretty content to simply watch us play Premier League. 4 years ago I couldn't see a way back for this club to reach the top division, but yet it is here. Of course I've got my fingers, toes and nipples crossed that we'll begin to pick up a few more points but I realised last week watching Gareth Bale just how proud I am of Saints to have produced such a special talent. We're not going to win the Premier League, we're not going to be taking on Barcelona any time soon, so for me the success of our youth products is as good as it gets. It gives me as much pride to see players like Bale do well as it did to earn promotion last season. These were our kids, they come with 'made in Southampton' burned to their backsides and they are ripping up the Premier League. What's even better is that there is even more to come. Ward-Prowse, Shaw, Sinclair... if we can get to a position where we can keep these players long term it would be unreal. So right now, sit back and reflect on how awesome we are when it comes to youth. We're top of the U18s, we've produced Shearer, Le Tiss, Bridge, Walcott, Bale and Oxo and for that reason I AM PROUD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 While a lot of us are getting miserable, personally I've been pretty content to simply watch us play Premier League. 4 years ago I couldn't see a way back for this club to reach the top division, but yet it is here. Of course I've got my fingers, toes and nipples crossed that we'll begin to pick up a few more points but I realised last week watching Gareth Bale just how proud I am of Saints to have produced such a special talent. We're not going to win the Premier League, we're not going to be taking on Barcelona any time soon, so for me the success of our youth products is as good as it gets. It gives me as much pride to see players like Bale do well as it did to earn promotion last season. These were our kids, they come with 'made in Southampton' burned to their backsides and they are ripping up the Premier League. What's even better is that there is even more to come. Ward-Prowse, Shaw, Sinclair... if we can get to a position where we can keep these players long term it would be unreal. So right now, sit back and reflect on how awesome we are when it comes to youth. We're top of the U18s, we've produced Shearer, Le Tiss, Bridge, Walcott, Bale and Oxo and for that reason I AM PROUD! And that is the biggest problem... For some reason, in even if already with prem clubs, young players seem desperate to go as soon as a big club comes sniffing, and off they go at 16/17 for silly money and sit on the bench at their new club. Why does everything have to be now, now, now? On the continent, Germany especially, you see younger players stay at their clubs til around 21/22 at least, thus you see greater churn in terms of who the top teams arem, as clubs get cyclical success as they get a good crop of youngsters to add vitality and that confidence that comes with youth to their first teams - yes ther is teh danger of players leaving on frees at teh end of their first contract, but the value they have provided to their clubs is often worth it - If it gets you a season of CL football at 20-30mil revenue etc... Would just like to see agents feck off out teh game - I am sure heads are turned at too young an age by promises of bigger pay days for teenage kids turning tehir back on those that gave them their chance. The 'I want it now' culture has fecked things in this country.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I'm proud when I see them play for Saints. I'm not proud when i see them play for other teams and wonder what might have been. Once they leave them mean nothing to me, just another player who thought they were better off elsewhere. I remember Jamie Redknapps comments last season talking about the Arsenal v Spurs game which he described as a "good dsy for Southampton" because 3 players on the pitch played for us once. How is it s good day for Southampton? Yeah, it's great we produce great players, it's only great if they play for us. Was I overjoyed that Blackburn won the league with 3 players who stated life at Saints? No I couldn't give a toss. Same as when i see Bale, Chamberlian or Walcott playing for England or in the champions league. Just players playing for clubs I don't really care about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 It's odd. I'm almost expecting the next one to be just as good and then go for mega bucks to one of the big four. Proud looking at the u-18s table, but these boys need us to be in the prem so they carry on having the top facilities we currently have. JWP looks a real talent, and quite unbelievable he';s still that young. Shaw i've not seen a lot of but obviously he is highly rated. Stephens and Chambers have been in and out of the England youth sides, while others have also shown huge promise. Whats this Ryan SEAGER chap like ? Anyone seen him play? Seems to be banging the goals in in the youth side! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I'm proud when I see them play for Saints. I'm not proud when i see them play for other teams and wonder what might have been. Once they leave them mean nothing to me, just another player who thought they were better off elsewhere. I remember Jamie Redknapps comments last season talking about the Arsenal v Spurs game which he described as a "good dsy for Southampton" because 3 players on the pitch played for us once. How is it s good day for Southampton? Yeah, it's great we produce great players, it's only great if they play for us. Was I overjoyed that Blackburn won the league with 3 players who stated life at Saints? No I couldn't give a toss. Same as when i see Bale, Chamberlian or Walcott playing for England or in the champions league. Just players playing for clubs I don't really care about. ...funnily enough something i can agree with.... a good youth set up and conveyorbelt of talent can do two things - ensure great value talent for the first team and provide cyclical success - and also be a great revenue stream that in theory fund other player talent investment.... getting that balance right is key, and historically, for teh ast 20 years at least we have simply not got it right - we did in the 80s when money was less an issue so less of an incentive for youth to jump ship at the first opportunity, but post le Tiss, the talent has gone way to early, some enforced, some out of need, and some as with Oxo who just wanted to go.... We need a shift in culture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I'm proud when I see them play for Saints. I'm not proud when i see them play for other teams and wonder what might have been. Once they leave them mean nothing to me, just another player who thought they were better off elsewhere. I remember Jamie Redknapps comments last season talking about the Arsenal v Spurs game which he described as a "good dsy for Southampton" because 3 players on the pitch played for us once. How is it s good day for Southampton? Yeah, it's great we produce great players, it's only great if they play for us. Was I overjoyed that Blackburn won the league with 3 players who stated life at Saints? No I couldn't give a toss. Same as when i see Bale, Chamberlian or Walcott playing for England or in the champions league. Just players playing for clubs I don't really care about. It's great for Southampton because young wannabe players will look to home grown tallent like Bale, Walcott and AOC for inspiration. Let's say there is some bright young 10 year old wonderkid in Southern England and he gets invited to join accademies at Southampton, Reading, Swindon and Pompey. He's going to look at the our set up and see Bale, Walcott, AOC, Shearer, Bridge, MLT and Lallana. He's going to look at the Skate's youth policy and see... er... Joel Ward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I'm proud when I see them play for Saints. I'm not proud when i see them play for other teams and wonder what might have been. Once they leave them mean nothing to me, just another player who thought they were better off elsewhere. I remember Jamie Redknapps comments last season talking about the Arsenal v Spurs game which he described as a "good dsy for Southampton" because 3 players on the pitch played for us once. How is it s good day for Southampton? Yeah, it's great we produce great players, it's only great if they play for us. Was I overjoyed that Blackburn won the league with 3 players who stated life at Saints? No I couldn't give a toss. Same as when i see Bale, Chamberlian or Walcott playing for England or in the champions league. Just players playing for clubs I don't really care about. This, this, and thrice this. Producing talented players means nothing for SFC if we are unable to retain them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 This, this, and thrice this. Producing talented players means nothing for SFC if we are unable to retain them... Appart from £40m in transfer fees in the last 6 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 It's great for Southampton because young wannabe players will look to home grown tallent like Bale, Walcott and AOC for inspiration. Let's say there is some bright young 10 year old wonderkid in Southern England and he gets invited to join accademies at Southampton, Reading, Swindon and Pompey. He's going to look at the our set up and see Bale, Walcott, AOC, Shearer, Bridge, MLT and Lallana. He's going to look at the Skate's youth policy and see... er... Joel Ward. Yep, its good to get those players in the first place. In the case of Theo and Ox, however, it also shows how a move to a top club not only massively increases wages and sponsorship potential, but also provides a fast-track to the national side. Theo hadn't even made an Arsenal senior appearance before he was called into the England World Cup finals squad. And Ox got a call up to the senior squad shortly after his transfer to Arsenal. On the flip side, Lallana has completely bypassed the England setup (and also largely missed out on the U21s) and had to wait for a return to the Premier League before getting a call-up to the squad (with no intention of giving him any game time). Compare that to the abject sh*te at big clubs such as Cleverley, Milner, and JonJo Shelvey; players will always seek out bigger clubs than us as early as possible to progress their careers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 Its also quite enlightening how, now we're in the Premier league, we are getting so many first team and academy players getting interntional call ups. The U19's features 3 youth players this next game - more than any other club. Plus - remember we have (so far) managed to retain players like Lallana, Ward Prowse and Shaw who are coveted by the big 5. So maybe we are in that new era now that everyone longs for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 interesting article on Ajax and Frank De Boer here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19985608 They have the similair problems as us with regards to youth. Think Ajax would be a good model for saints to try and follow We have to be creative," De Boer explained. "Normally we have to get players when they are 16. At 18 or 19 it is already too late. "Our philosophy is that we want about 70% of our first team to have come from our own youth academy. It is our lifeline to survive against bigger clubs, and if we hit that 70% mark then it shows that doing it our way is working. "We don't spend money if we can help it. We look at the youth teams first and have a policy of giving a chance to our own, rather than trying to sign a player from outside that we have to pay four or five million euros for." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 ..BUt one advantage of seeing our ex youngsters do well, must at least be that it provides a good reason for youngsters to come here... so hopefully we get that 'conveyor belt' .... just need to figure out how to hang on to them a little longer.... so we get more than just a financial benefit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 Appart from £40m in transfer fees in the last 6 years? But for the steady flow of income from our academy players we would be dead and buried by now. Every little bit helped keep the club alive. Besides Bridgey, Bale, Oxo & Theo, smaller, but so important fees for the likes of Best, Blackstock, McGodrick & Surman ensured our survival. Hopefully we are now in a position to keep any further upcoming youngsters, or at least dictate terms to our liking (as per Oxo) rather than panic sale for cash. Selling our academy to promising youngsters shouldn't be a problem with our track record of producing and giving opportunities to young talent - and with moves towards more home grown players being a requirement - keeping them becomes even more important. I do take pride in seeing ex players (not just youth) scoring or playing well - just so long as it isn't against us - and even better when i's against skatesmuff and they ram the scummah chants down their throats!! Theo, Oxo and even Crouchy makes watching England bearable. Seeing Lalana and Ward Prowse in the next World Cup would be even better!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 interesting article on Ajax and Frank De Boer here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19985608 They have the similair problems as us with regards to youth. Think Ajax would be a good model for saints to try and follow We have to be creative," De Boer explained. "Normally we have to get players when they are 16. At 18 or 19 it is already too late. "Our philosophy is that we want about 70% of our first team to have come from our own youth academy. It is our lifeline to survive against bigger clubs, and if we hit that 70% mark then it shows that doing it our way is working. "We don't spend money if we can help it. We look at the youth teams first and have a policy of giving a chance to our own, rather than trying to sign a player from outside that we have to pay four or five million euros for." the difference being that the Dutch First Division isn't all that great and results and survival aren't hard to come by. Why even the woeful De Ridder was a big star in Dutch football. Could we find a goodly number of our youth players that are better than De Ridder...well obviously we could. Our problem is that we're playing in the world's best league and there's really no place for mediocre players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 the difference being that the Dutch First Division isn't all that great and results and survival aren't hard to come by. Why even the woeful De Ridder was a big star in Dutch football. Could we find a goodly number of our youth players that are better than De Ridder...well obviously we could. Our problem is that we're playing in the world's best league and there's really no place for mediocre players. Plus as they are by far the biggest club in Holland they have the pick of all the best players. Isn't the rule for young foreign players different over there too? I seem to remember that they could sign young african players much more easily than English clubs could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 happy it was us that brought them through, happy we benefited from the transfer fees, happy when they score against the skates, but once they have left us I could not give a **** about them. Oh and give it a couple of years and most of the country forgets who really did the development work and you hear **** like Bagpuss/Wenger turned Bale/OX from a lower league player to an international star. did they ****. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Kucho Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 Plus as they are by far the biggest club in Holland they have the pick of all the best players. Isn't the rule for young foreign players different over there too? I seem to remember that they could sign young african players much more easily than English clubs could. In Holland players from outside the EU don't need a work permit to sign for a club, where as in the UK the player has to be an exceptional talent or have played something like 75% of the last international games for his country. The problem they have in the Netherlands is that they cant give players a contract until they are 18, that's why clubs in the UK often buy 16/17 year old players from Eredivisie clubs (who to date have all failed to make it into the first team of there respected clubs (I might have missed one though), with Jordy Brouwer and Vincent van den Berg the best example of how wrong your career can go) Ajax nowadays get lots of their youth players from Denmark (Christian Eriksson, Viktor Fischer, Nicolai Boileson, Lucas Anderson) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 (edited) It's odd. I'm almost expecting the next one to be just as good and then go for mega bucks to one of the big four. Proud looking at the u-18s table, but these boys need us to be in the prem so they carry on having the top facilities we currently have. JWP looks a real talent, and quite unbelievable he';s still that young. Shaw i've not seen a lot of but obviously he is highly rated. Stephens and Chambers have been in and out of the England youth sides, while others have also shown huge promise. Whats this Ryan SEAGER chap like ? Anyone seen him play? Seems to be banging the goals in in the youth side! I watched the youth team film reports of their games (free on the OS).......and he looked useful ...got 10 goals so far....but only for the U18s. Hoskins and Chambers are the best goalscorers for the U21. ****its a sad thing to say, but I seen decades of young strikers blitzing the youth sides and not even making it to the first team.......hopefully we'll get a few good ones now. Edited 2 November, 2012 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I cant really get excited about the u18s or u16s or what ever...they are there to serve the 1st team....maybe 1 or 2 of the current u18 will play in the frist team..even if for just 1 sub appearance.... lets not kid ourselves....it is a good way to make money..keep some, sell some.. but I dont see it as a point of oneupmanship by bragging about our u18s or whatever, when the 1st team is not very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 I cant really get excited about the u18s or u16s or what ever...they are there to serve the 1st team....maybe 1 or 2 of the current u18 will play in the frist team..even if for just 1 sub appearance.... lets not kid ourselves....it is a good way to make money..keep some, sell some.. but I dont see it as a point of oneupmanship by bragging about our u18s or whatever, when the 1st team is not very good Yeah that James Ward-Prowse and Ben Reeves will never make the first team.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 Yeah that James Ward-Prowse and Ben Reeves will never make the first team.... that true..ut if we are to stay in the prem..the standard required is going to have to rise quite a bit throughout the team..leaving hardly any chance for the next 17 year old to break through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAS Posted 2 November, 2012 Share Posted 2 November, 2012 happy it was us that brought them through, happy we benefited from the transfer fees, happy when they score against the skates, but once they have left us I could not give a **** about them. Oh and give it a couple of years and most of the country forgets who really did the development work and you hear **** like Bagpuss/Wenger turned Bale/OX from a lower league player to an international star. did they ****.I thought Redknapp brought through every talented young player this century.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 3 November, 2012 Share Posted 3 November, 2012 Appart from £40m in transfer fees in the last 6 years? If only it had been £60m, we might have avoided Administration... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchen_block4 Posted 3 November, 2012 Share Posted 3 November, 2012 It's odd. I'm almost expecting the next one to be just as good and then go for mega bucks to one of the big four. Proud looking at the u-18s table, but these boys need us to be in the prem so they carry on having the top facilities we currently have. JWP looks a real talent, and quite unbelievable he';s still that young. Shaw i've not seen a lot of but obviously he is highly rated. Stephens and Chambers have been in and out of the England youth sides, while others have also shown huge promise. Whats this Ryan SEAGER chap like ? Anyone seen him play? Seems to be banging the goals in in the youth side! Seager is a goalpoacher. Not a big lad, but he's quick and oftem finds himself behind defenders. He's got a nice set of feet too. His movement is very sharp and he'll find spaces that others don't. We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, but he does show promise. Reminds me a bit of a young Michael Owen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 3 November, 2012 Share Posted 3 November, 2012 Seager is a goalpoacher. Not a big lad, but he's quick and oftem finds himself behind defenders. He's got a nice set of feet too. His movement is very sharp and he'll find spaces that others don't. We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, but he does show promise. Reminds me a bit of a young Michael Owen. That'll do nicely!... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 3 November, 2012 Share Posted 3 November, 2012 I should say we do well in developing the youngsters, even giving them additional time if they haven't peaked. It's only now back in the prem it'll be easier to keep them and that is the worry - what if we go down can we keep them and can they make the transition from 'reserve' squad to first team squad. Will the highly rated youngsters still be tempted by the bigger clubs or stick with it here in familiar surroundings and team mates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 3 November, 2012 Share Posted 3 November, 2012 We could of had a half decent team with best and jones up front midfield of bale Aoc walcott and lallana with a defence with baird surman bridge and shaw! Just need to produce a decient keeper now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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