The model club of Europe: Southampton

[whelk]

Article from FourFourTwo

Quite long and sorry no link as was in Newstand

 

When Southampton travel to Tottenham this weekend, Ronald Koeman will meet the manager he replaced at St Mary’s this summer.

 

Trained up, traded out

 

Profitable Academy graduates:

 

Luke Shaw (18 yrs old, Manchester United, £31m) Adam Lallana (26, Liverpool, £25m) Calum Chambers (19, Arsenal, £16m) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (17, Arsenal, £12m) Theo Walcott (16, Arsenal, £12m) Gareth Bale (17, Spurs, £10m)

Many people expected the Dutchman would face an impossible job to surpass Mauricio Pochettino, the coach who led Southampton to eighth in the Premier League last season – especially when several of the club's star players also left in the close season.

 

But so far Pochettino has barely been considered by Saints fans, as Koeman has built an impressive new side which lies second in the league. During pre-season, the Dutch manager made some astute signings with the captures of Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Shane Long, and he arranged loans for players like Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld. Alongside those, he has tried to implement players from the club’s academy.

 

Lucrative youth

 

Promoting youth seems to be a cultural commitment at Southampton, where there is a clear tradition of producing many players so talented that richer clubs make offers fit to test a Saint.

 

 

No wonder other clubs are trying to copy the Saints' academy, according to Matt Crocker, who was Southampton's academy director from 2005 until 2013: "I think there are a lot of clubs looking to Southampton and the way they implement young players.

 

"They're a good example of a club who plays in the Premier League, made a lot of money from player sales and still have good players who didn’t cost them a lot. So in that way they are a model club to other sides." With Financial Fair Play applying strict criteria on spending, only the huge clubs with enormous income streams can afford to spend big, leading to ever more importance on promoting from within. For the vast majority of European clubs, Saints represent the blueprint.

 

“"Other clubs with financial problems usually cut back on academies. Even in administration, Southampton didn't"

 

- Matt Crocker, Southampton's academy director 2005-2013

 

Crocker, now the FA's Head of Coach and Player Development, explains how the youth structure has always been integral to Southampton. "The club has a philosophy to give young players a chance," he says. "The door has to be open for them.

 

"When the club faced administration, the academy was still funded to the level which it used to be. Other clubs with financial problems usually cut back on academies, to save money – but Southampton never cut back the youth programme." Giving youth such importance could be crucial for the future of English football.

 

Situation normal for Koeman

 

“"It’s Feyenoord's goal now to implement two youth players in the first team every season"

 

- Damien Hertog, Feyenoord’s academy director

 

For his part, Koeman is no stranger to involving young players in the first team. In his previous job at Feyenoord, he gave debuts to many young players due to the precarious financial situation of the club.

 

It turned out to be a success, as Feyenoord were Eredivisie runners-up twice in three seasons. Damien Hertog, the club’s academy director, tells how financial uncertainty created a new club ethos. "It’s our goal now to implement two youth players in the first team every season," he explains.

 

"That policy became even more important when Mario Been [Koeman’s predecessor] was manager. At that time, financially there was nothing possible at all. But ever since then, we have kept that new policy."

 

When Koeman took over in 2011 – thereby becoming the first man ever to play for and manage each of Dutch football's big three clubs, Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven – he didn't have a big budget, but was able to make some minor signings and favourable loans.

 

His biggest hits were Manchester City loanee John Guidetti and Pelle, whom he bought from Parma after an initial loan spell of six months – and no wonder: in total, the Italian hit 55 goals in 66 games for the Rotterdam club. Alongside the incoming players, Koeman used a lot of youngsters, notably Jordy Clasie, Daryl Janmaat (now at Newcastle), Tonny Vilhena and Jean-Paul Boëtius.

 

The new Feyenoord

 

Feyenoord's squad includes 14 Academy graduates: Wessel Dammers, Rick Karsdorp, Rodny Lopes Cabral, Lucas Woudenberg, Jean-Paul Boëtius, Sven van Beek, Matthew Steenvoorden, Elvis Manu, Anass Achahbar, Terence Kongolo, Tonny de Vilhena, Jordy Clasie, Miquel Nelom and Erwin Mulder

 

 

 

Hertog says Koeman kept in constant contact with the Feyenoord academy. "He was always listening to youth coaches and other staff.

 

"I have a very positive feeling how he worked here in the last three years. He frequently visited youth matches, which meant he had a good view of the level of the players.

 

"During winter training camps, he would always take a few youth players with him. That was really constructive, he was really involved."

 

According to Hertog, the results in the last few years speak for themselves. "We have all seen how he developed those young players even more, and how he implemented them in the first team. And he never said that he wanted to make big signings from other clubs; he always stayed cool, and that gave us confidence in the academy as well."

 

Academy awards

 

Koeman presented himself in a similar way at Southampton. He didn’t complain when so many big players left the club, as he was mainly focusing on building a new team.

 

And Southampton will be glad he is familiar with nurturing new talent as well. In recent years, academy players have played an important part in the success of the club.

 

"Usually we sold our good players," reflects Crocker, "but when the new owner [Markus Liebherr] bought the club, the ambition was to keep the good players, to reach the Premier League and to transform the players into internationals for their country."

 

 

That dream came true in 2012, when Southampton returned to the Premier League after seven years. Since then, several academy players have impressed in the top flight, and some have gone on to make their international debut as well. Crocker proudly reels off the names.

 

“"The Southampton academy shouldn't only be regarded as one of the best in England, but as one of the best in Europe"

 

- Matt Crocker

 

"If you look to the last two seasons in the Premier League, there were Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Sam Gallagher, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed who came from the academy.

 

"And most of them consistently played in the first team. That’s just outstanding. If you consider the players who have progressed before, like Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott, then I think the Southampton academy shouldn't only be regarded as one of the best in England, but as one of the best in Europe."

 

In Holland, academy excellence is so important that there's a category for it at the annual Rinus Michels Awards – and Varkenoord, run by Feyenoord in association with Excelsior, has taken the gong for the last five years on the bounce. It’s a significant victory, according to Hertog. "First of all, you have to be shortlisted by the Dutch football association. In the end, all clubs mutually vote for the winner."

 

Hertog explains how the Feyenoord academy distinguishes itself. "What makes us unique is the continuity and diversity of the training staff. There's a lot of knowledge within the academy about different age groups. We think it’s important to give the youngest kids space to explore their responsibilities in an open way.

 

"An example is to give two players the task to make teams for training. We hope they develop creative skills by themselves. Later on, from the under-12 group, we apply a more strict approach to players. We have some very good managers, who have created a specialism to work with certain age groups. In that way, we have created experts, and I think that is really important."

 

"It enhances the mutual feeling"

 

Like Crocker, Hertog emphasises on the important role of the academy inside football clubs. "At Feyenoord, the youth academy has always been mentioned as one of the big assets." And as at Southampton, Feyenoord didn't sacrifice the future when the present brought huge financial problems. Hertog recognises the similarities with the South Coast club.

 

"With its youth structure, I think Southampton is one of the exceptions in England. I like to see it, it feels the same as we are doing in Rotterdam. It makes you feel really proud as a club, when home-grown talents play in the first team. It makes for a connection inside the club, it enhances the mutual feeling. In Holland, academies tend to become better and better, and I think it will develop even more in the coming years."

 

Perhaps more clubs in England can follow the example of Southampton and Feyenoord. Crocker is already trying to implement changes at the FA, where he is part of a team which aims to define a new technical approach towards the game. "We're trying to create a new DNA of English teams, like a standardisation of how we want to play."

 

...cont

Edited 2 October, 2014 by whelk

[whelk]

....cont

 

 

The next wave

 

More Saints graduates with first-team experience:

 

Sam Gallagher, striker James Ward-Prowse, midfielder Harrison Reed, midfielder Lloyd Isgrove, midfielder Matt Targett, left-back Sam McQueen, winger

 

But no matter how busy he gets with England's future, Crocker still finds time to keep an eye on his old club and says he is impressed with the work Koeman is doing. "They had a very difficult summer, but they signed some excellent players. Koeman has done a great job, during challenging times.

 

"And also under Koeman, Southampton seem to continue with the same approach to young players. They got Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea, and this season have already brought a new debutant from the academy in Matt Targett."

 

It seems Southampton will continue to set the precedent and be a model club.

[Goatboy]

Article from FourFourTwo

Quite long and sorry no link as was in Newstand

 

When Southampton travel to Tottenham this weekend, Ronald Koeman will meet the manager he replaced at St Mary’s this summer.

 

Trained up, traded out

 

Profitable Academy graduates:

 

Luke Shaw (18 yrs old, Manchester United, £31m) Adam Lallana (26, Liverpool, £25m) Calum Chambers (19, Arsenal, £16m) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (17, Arsenal, £12m) Theo Walcott (16, Arsenal, £12m) Gareth Bale (17, Spurs, £10m)

Many people expected the Dutchman would face an impossible job to surpass Mauricio Pochettino, the coach who led Southampton to eighth in the Premier League last season – especially when several of the club's star players also left in the close season.

 

But so far Pochettino has barely been considered by Saints fans, as Koeman has built an impressive new side which lies second in the league. During pre-season, the Dutch manager made some astute signings with the captures of Dusan Tadic, Graziano Pelle and Shane Long, and he arranged loans for players like Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld. Alongside those, he has tried to implement players from the club’s academy.

 

Lucrative youth

 

Promoting youth seems to be a cultural commitment at Southampton, where there is a clear tradition of producing many players so talented that richer clubs make offers fit to test a Saint.

 

 

No wonder other clubs are trying to copy the Saints' academy, according to Matt Crocker, who was Southampton's academy director from 2005 until 2013: "I think there are a lot of clubs looking to Southampton and the way they implement young players.

 

"They're a good example of a club who plays in the Premier League, made a lot of money from player sales and still have good players who didn’t cost them a lot. So in that way they are a model club to other sides." With Financial Fair Play applying strict criteria on spending, only the huge clubs with enormous income streams can afford to spend big, leading to ever more importance on promoting from within. For the vast majority of European clubs, Saints represent the blueprint.

 

“"Other clubs with financial problems usually cut back on academies. Even in administration, Southampton didn't"

 

- Matt Crocker, Southampton's academy director 2005-2013

 

Crocker, now the FA's Head of Coach and Player Development, explains how the youth structure has always been integral to Southampton. "The club has a philosophy to give young players a chance," he says. "The door has to be open for them.

 

"When the club faced administration, the academy was still funded to the level which it used to be. Other clubs with financial problems usually cut back on academies, to save money – but Southampton never cut back the youth programme." Giving youth such importance could be crucial for the future of English football.

 

Situation normal for Koeman

 

“"It’s Feyenoord's goal now to implement two youth players in the first team every season"

 

- Damien Hertog, Feyenoord’s academy director

 

For his part, Koeman is no stranger to involving young players in the first team. In his previous job at Feyenoord, he gave debuts to many young players due to the precarious financial situation of the club.

 

It turned out to be a success, as Feyenoord were Eredivisie runners-up twice in three seasons. Damien Hertog, the club’s academy director, tells how financial uncertainty created a new club ethos. "It’s our goal now to implement two youth players in the first team every season," he explains.

 

"That policy became even more important when Mario Been [Koeman’s predecessor] was manager. At that time, financially there was nothing possible at all. But ever since then, we have kept that new policy."

 

When Koeman took over in 2011 – thereby becoming the first man ever to play for and manage each of Dutch football's big three clubs, Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven – he didn't have a big budget, but was able to make some minor signings and favourable loans.

 

His biggest hits were Manchester City loanee John Guidetti and Pelle, whom he bought from Parma after an initial loan spell of six months – and no wonder: in total, the Italian hit 55 goals in 66 games for the Rotterdam club. Alongside the incoming players, Koeman used a lot of youngsters, notably Jordy Clasie, Daryl Janmaat (now at Newcastle), Tonny Vilhena and Jean-Paul Boëtius.

 

The new Feyenoord

 

Feyenoord's squad includes 14 Academy graduates: Wessel Dammers, Rick Karsdorp, Rodny Lopes Cabral, Lucas Woudenberg, Jean-Paul Boëtius, Sven van Beek, Matthew Steenvoorden, Elvis Manu, Anass Achahbar, Terence Kongolo, Tonny de Vilhena, Jordy Clasie, Miquel Nelom and Erwin Mulder

 

 

 

Hertog says Koeman kept in constant contact with the Feyenoord academy. "He was always listening to youth coaches and other staff.

 

"I have a very positive feeling how he worked here in the last three years. He frequently visited youth matches, which meant he had a good view of the level of the players.

 

"During winter training camps, he would always take a few youth players with him. That was really constructive, he was really involved."

 

According to Hertog, the results in the last few years speak for themselves. "We have all seen how he developed those young players even more, and how he implemented them in the first team. And he never said that he wanted to make big signings from other clubs; he always stayed cool, and that gave us confidence in the academy as well."

 

Academy awards

 

Koeman presented himself in a similar way at Southampton. He didn’t complain when so many big players left the club, as he was mainly focusing on building a new team.

 

And Southampton will be glad he is familiar with nurturing new talent as well. In recent years, academy players have played an important part in the success of the club.

 

"Usually we sold our good players," reflects Crocker, "but when the new owner [Markus Liebherr] bought the club, the ambition was to keep the good players, to reach the Premier League and to transform the players into internationals for their country."

 

 

That dream came true in 2012, when Southampton returned to the Premier League after seven years. Since then, several academy players have impressed in the top flight, and some have gone on to make their international debut as well. Crocker proudly reels off the names.

 

“"The Southampton academy shouldn't only be regarded as one of the best in England, but as one of the best in Europe"

 

- Matt Crocker

 

"If you look to the last two seasons in the Premier League, there were Adam Lallana, Calum Chambers, Sam Gallagher, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed who came from the academy.

 

"And most of them consistently played in the first team. That’s just outstanding. If you consider the players who have progressed before, like Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott, then I think the Southampton academy shouldn't only be regarded as one of the best in England, but as one of the best in Europe."

 

In Holland, academy excellence is so important that there's a category for it at the annual Rinus Michels Awards – and Varkenoord, run by Feyenoord in association with Excelsior, has taken the gong for the last five years on the bounce. It’s a significant victory, according to Hertog. "First of all, you have to be shortlisted by the Dutch football association. In the end, all clubs mutually vote for the winner."

 

Hertog explains how the Feyenoord academy distinguishes itself. "What makes us unique is the continuity and diversity of the training staff. There's a lot of knowledge within the academy about different age groups. We think it’s important to give the youngest kids space to explore their responsibilities in an open way.

 

"An example is to give two players the task to make teams for training. We hope they develop creative skills by themselves. Later on, from the under-12 group, we apply a more strict approach to players. We have some very good managers, who have created a specialism to work with certain age groups. In that way, we have created experts, and I think that is really important."

 

"It enhances the mutual feeling"

 

Like Crocker, Hertog emphasises on the important role of the academy inside football clubs. "At Feyenoord, the youth academy has always been mentioned as one of the big assets." And as at Southampton, Feyenoord didn't sacrifice the future when the present brought huge financial problems. Hertog recognises the similarities with the South Coast club.

 

"With its youth structure, I think Southampton is one of the exceptions in England. I like to see it, it feels the same as we are doing in Rotterdam. It makes you feel really proud as a club, when home-grown talents play in the first team. It makes for a connection inside the club, it enhances the mutual feeling. In Holland, academies tend to become better and better, and I think it will develop even more in the coming years."

 

Perhaps more clubs in England can follow the example of Southampton and Feyenoord. Crocker is already trying to implement changes at the FA, where he is part of a team which aims to define a new technical approach towards the game. "We're trying to create a new DNA of English teams, like a standardisation of how we want to play."

 

...cont

 

Bit harsh. Thought it was quite a good read.

[Goatboy]

....cont

 

 

The next wave

 

More Saints graduates with first-team experience:

 

Sam Gallagher, striker James Ward-Prowse, midfielder Harrison Reed, midfielder Lloyd Isgrove, midfielder Matt Targett, left-back Sam McQueen, winger

 

But no matter how busy he gets with England's future, Crocker still finds time to keep an eye on his old club and says he is impressed with the work Koeman is doing. "They had a very difficult summer, but they signed some excellent players. Koeman has done a great job, during challenging times.

 

"And also under Koeman, Southampton seem to continue with the same approach to young players. They got Ryan Bertrand on loan from Chelsea, and this season have already brought a new debutant from the academy in Matt Targett."

 

It seems Southampton will continue to set the precedent and be a model club.

 

oh, I see.

[ericb]

Good article and shows how important having good backing has been, interesting to see if we've just got lucky with a golden period of players of if we've actually got something a bit more substantial and long term in place.

[Toadhall Saint]

Top a article that - cheers

[VectisSaint]

Interesting article, however timing wise it is ironic that it comes just after we played a league match with no academy graduates in the first team. I know Targett, Reed and McCarthy were on the bench and of course JWP is injured. Not saying anything should be read into this, but its perhaps significant and an indication that there is not such a large pool of academy players currently in the queue.

[Sour Mash]

Interesting article, however timing wise it is ironic that it comes just after we played a league match with no academy graduates in the first team. I know Targett, Reed and McCarthy were on the bench and of course JWP is injured. Not saying anything should be read into this, but its perhaps significant and an indication that there is not such a large pool of academy players currently in the queue.

How many other Premier League clubs had three academy graduates on the bench last weekend? And that's before taking into consideration three sold in the summer. And one out injured.

 

The level required to make it at the top is so high, that only a very small percentage will every really make it and the margins are so small, even getting one player through every two years for example, would be an excellent achievement. The question is, does the focus look the same and are the processes that have been successful kept going? It looks like the answer is yes, that's all we can really ask for.

[Turkish]

How can this be? This is the club that is a joke, has no ambition, is in a mess and run by tossers who do things that'll make your eyes water if only you knew.

[eelpie]

How can this be? This is the club that is a joke, has no ambition, is in a mess and run by tossers who do things that'll make your eyes water if only you knew.

 

It's criticism from us 'bedwetters' that woke the club out of its summer torpor, didn't you know....

[John Boy Saint]

Interesting article, however timing wise it is ironic that it comes just after we played a league match with no academy graduates in the first team. I know Targett, Reed and McCarthy were on the bench and of course JWP is injured. Not saying anything should be read into this, but its perhaps significant and an indication that there is not such a large pool of academy players currently in the queue.

Doesn't Morgan fit into the academy product category, I know we bought him from Strasbourg but I thought he went into the academy set up before moving up?

[CB Fry]

How can this be? This is the club that is a joke, has no ambition, is in a mess and run by tossers who do things that'll make your eyes water if only you knew.

It could have been so different.

[Jack]

Shane Long's transfer surely cannot be described as 'astute'. I'll go along with the rest of it though.

[Saint Bones]

Its amazing to see how far we have come in such a short time....

 

Saints have to be the most amazing roller coaster ride there is !

[eelpie]

Its amazing to see how far we have come in such a short time....

 

Saints have to be the most amazing roller coaster ride there is !

 

Ooh don't say that

[VectisSaint]

Doesn't Morgan fit into the academy product category, I know we bought him from Strasbourg but I thought he went into the academy set up before moving up?

No, he was nearing 19 when he signed for us. You're getting confused with home-grown status.

[VectisSaint]

How many other Premier League clubs had three academy graduates on the bench last weekend? And that's before taking into consideration three sold in the summer. And one out injured.

 

The level required to make it at the top is so high, that only a very small percentage will every really make it and the margins are so small, even getting one player through every two years for example, would be an excellent achievement. The question is, does the focus look the same and are the processes that have been successful kept going? It looks like the answer is yes, that's all we can really ask for.

The point is that a lot of what is written is based on what people saw last season, and they haven't noticed that things have changed significantly since then. Last season we regularly had 3 or 4 academy players in the 1st XI, plus one or two more on the bench (Lallana, Shaw, JWP & Chambers, Gallagher as well at times, but lets say 3 as a rough guide). Last Saturday we had none on the pitch until Targett came on as sub near the end. People don't seem to see that the trend of having a large number of Academy products in the 1st team squad has changed, and base all their analysis and reporting on old data. I'm not saying anything is badly broken since last season, but just be aware, the plaudits being thrown at the Club are out of date and do not necessarily reflect the here and now.

[View From The Top]

It could have been so different.

 

You only need dreams and ambition.

[View From The Top]

The point is that a lot of what is written is based on what people saw last season, and they haven't noticed that things have changed significantly since then. Last season we regularly had 3 or 4 academy players in the 1st XI, plus one or two more on the bench (Lallana, Shaw, JWP & Chambers, Gallagher as well at times, but lets say 3 as a rough guide). Last Saturday we had none on the pitch until Targett came on as sub near the end. People don't seem to see that the trend of having a large number of Academy products in the 1st team squad has changed, and base all their analysis and reporting on old data. I'm not saying anything is badly broken since last season, but just be aware, the plaudits being thrown at the Club are out of date and do not necessarily reflect the here and now.

 

The here and now is that, as a club, we look to our own academy before the transfer market and believe in giving home grown a genuine chance.

[Webby]

I tried to down load this on my phone, but after it was done I couldn't find it in newsstand, only in my purchased list where it said open but tapping that did nothing. Odd.

[Village Saint]

The point is that a lot of what is written is based on what people saw last season, and they haven't noticed that things have changed significantly since then. Last season we regularly had 3 or 4 academy players in the 1st XI, plus one or two more on the bench (Lallana, Shaw, JWP & Chambers, Gallagher as well at times, but lets say 3 as a rough guide). Last Saturday we had none on the pitch until Targett came on as sub near the end. People don't seem to see that the trend of having a large number of Academy products in the 1st team squad has changed, and base all their analysis and reporting on old data. I'm not saying anything is badly broken since last season, but just be aware, the plaudits being thrown at the Club are out of date and do not necessarily reflect the here and now.

 

You seem to be suggesting that only last Saturday's team is relevant! Targett has started this season; Ward-Prowse was a regular until his injury and will be again; Reed and McCarthy have been on the bench; Gallagher will certainly get his chances when he returns. Okay not so many starting just at this moment but no change in policy and no signs of slippage in the supply-line!

[Sour Mash]

The point is that a lot of what is written is based on what people saw last season, and they haven't noticed that things have changed significantly since then. Last season we regularly had 3 or 4 academy players in the 1st XI, plus one or two more on the bench (Lallana, Shaw, JWP & Chambers, Gallagher as well at times, but lets say 3 as a rough guide). Last Saturday we had none on the pitch until Targett came on as sub near the end. People don't seem to see that the trend of having a large number of Academy products in the 1st team squad has changed, and base all their analysis and reporting on old data. I'm not saying anything is badly broken since last season, but just be aware, the plaudits being thrown at the Club are out of date and do not necessarily reflect the here and now.

I'm not sure you understand the point. Has our focus on using and resourcing the academy changed from what you can see?

 

I'm going to be lazy and copy and paste my previous post; How many other Premier League clubs had three academy graduates on the bench last weekend? And that's before taking into consideration three sold in the summer. And one out injured.

[Benali Saint]

Great red.

good to see positive media about Saints

[hutch]

I did notice that there are no Saints in the latest England U21 squad

[david in sweden]

Doesn't Morgan fit into the academy product category, I know we bought him from Strasbourg but I thought he went into the academy set up before moving up?

 

Well theoretically NO !.....but he did come to the club in 2008 (aged 18) when we were about to be relegated to L1 (with those minus 10 points). He certainly had a few games with the Academy teams.

He's played alongside people (of a similar age group) of Academy graduates; (Mills, James, Paterson, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lallana) - even if he's mosty played in the first team.

 

As I recall he got kicked around a lot by the " L1 type proffs " who show no mercy to young players, and he had some bad injuries along the way.

Since then we have seen him develop every season, and has proven to be one of the few French players who settled well at SMS and blossomed as the club improved.

 

His long overdue international debut was down to the French manager's refusal to pick him, rather than any inconsistancies in his game. Stats. showed him to be one of the best midfielders in Europe.

[david in sweden]

I did notice that there are no Saints in the latest England U21 squad

 

...only former players.... the next generation are still in the U20's squad.

[david in sweden]

It's criticism from us 'bedwetters' that woke the club out of its summer torpor, didn't you know....

 

oh ?....is that what we have to thank you for ?...I did wonder.....

[Saint_clark]

Bit of history rewriting there David, schneiderlin signed the summer before we were relegated and never played in the youth team (was a regular starter that season). Also don't remember him getting bullied much in league one, he learnt how to deal with the physical game very quickly in his first season.