Koeman unimpressed by academy players

[Chalkboy]

Agreed, but at moment RK`s comments are just being used as an outlet for whining and beating the club with despite them being true

 

Do you think Rk's comments appearing in the national press, (where they twist it to use words like "Koeman slams academy" or "academy stalls") are good for the club or bad?

 

 

Not sure, because we all know how these rags want to sensationalize to sell copies and as lots of people are gullible and believe everything they read

as gospel so in that situation it is bad. I m sure they do publish the truth a times but because the rubbish put out, outweighs the truth it is difficult to

identify which is which.

 

In the long run i guess it makes little difference whether it`s good or bad as people should make up their own mind..

 

As you've said, newspapers sensationalise things, in which case I'd suggest that Ron should have been more cautious in his use of words and not given the rags the story in the first place. Criticism of the academy in public can't be great for anyone at the club, especially when they've been working hard to present it as a place of excellence, something that we are famous for.

 

Remember these words, "we don't just buy success, we breed it"? Well that all looks rather pathetic now.

[Badger]

Seagar is a player I had expected to see more involved given his scoring record at U21 level. But question, how old is he ? I thought he was now in his 20's in which case I would have expected his chance to have come by now, either last season, or even before under MP.

[Baird of the land]

Seagar is a player I had expected to see more involved given his scoring record at U21 level. But question, how old is he ? I thought he was now in his 20's in which case I would have expected his chance to have come by now, either last season, or even before under MP.

 

Given Seagar was 17/18 during potch reign(now 19 going on 20) & he gave an 18 year old striker in Gallagher plenty of games i can't see how potch bears any responsibility.

Must have been utterly deflating to be seagar on Saturday sitting on the bench the day after Koeman wrote him and most of rest of academy players off, throwing them under the bus in Redknapp style to try and stop his own image being tarnished.

Unless Koeman is going out the door I hope he's pressing Reed for a loan move somewhere where a manager might actually give him an opportunity when several of the main strikers are injured and others are out of form.

[SuperSAINT]

I cant think of 1 positive in publicly slating the Academy players !?

 

Nope. I remember Harry doing it after a league cup game pretty much to p*ss Rupert off back in the day.

[david in sweden]

That's not how coaching and development works. You have to nurture young players, give them opportunities to improve and help them reach their potential and hopefully the first team. No one is 'good enough' to start with. One way to help them reach that goal is encouragement, rather than public criticism.

 

I agree that it doesn't sound good, but it's the truth. Sorry if it upsets people, but Koeman is right, and he's always open and honest in his comments.

 

They need to understand that more is required, and for the lads who've been at the club since they were at junior school - they need a reality check, if they think they're good enough to play Premier League....and yet Koeman doesn't agree. Those fans who think they are good enough also need a reality check.

 

These lads are cotton-wooled and pampered at Staplewood - but if it's not working, then EITHER we chose wrongly in the first place, or they just haven't made it.

 

We move onto the next intake.

[simo]

If as been mentioned the youth players no longer train with the first team and Koeman hardly watches them how has he came to this conclusion! ?

[Badger]

Given Seagar was 17/18 during potch reign(now 19 going on 20) & he gave an 18 year old striker in Gallagher plenty of games i can't see how potch bears any responsibility.

.

 

 

Okay, fair enough, I thought Seagar was older than 19/20.

[Window Cleaner]

Isn't his name Seager ? At least we can get that right surely.

[saint77]

If as been mentioned the youth players no longer train with the first team and Koeman hardly watches them how has he came to this conclusion! ?

That's reeds decision not koemans

[Fitzhugh Fella]

If as been mentioned the youth players no longer train with the first team and Koeman hardly watches them how has he came to this conclusion! ?

 

This post has this afternoon on the match thread from a new poster gives me great concern

 

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.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

If as been mentioned the youth players no longer train with the first team and Koeman hardly watches them how has he came to this conclusion! ?

 

If is the word, how can anything be clarified if it isnt proven to be true yet?

[saint77]

This post has this afternoon on the match thread from a new poster gives me great concern

 

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.

 

You defo like the young boys dinosaur don't you

[Chez]

If as been mentioned the youth players no longer train with the first team and Koeman hardly watches them how has he came to this conclusion! ?

 

Academy players maybe, but I'd of thought the young pros would be involved. If not in every session, certainly quite a fair bit. Targett for example has played a fair bit of under 21 football but must have been visible to RK.

 

It would be interesting to get a definitive answer to this.

[Graffito]

This post has this afternoon on the match thread from a new poster gives me great concern

 

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.

 

May I ask why it gives you cause for concern? After all, this could be someone's opinion, no more nor less valid than lany other.

[simo]

This post has this afternoon on the match thread from a new poster gives me great concern

 

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.

 

Yeh I read that which when put with Guan's post says to me the clubs philosophy and Ron aren't on the same page and that its only a matter of time before we part ways ! (If true which I have no reason not to believe)

[Fitzhugh Fella]

May I ask why it gives you cause for concern? After all, this could be someone's opinion, no more nor less valid than lany other.

It gives me concern because I believe it to be true from what I have heard too.

Also a lot of it, is not his opinion he is actually posting it as fact if you read it again.

[CB Fry]

It gives me concern because I believe it to be true from what I have heard too.

Also a lot of it, is not his opinion he is actually posting it as fact if you read it again.

Gawd knows what you'll do if we appoint a new manager and he doesn't pick Sam Gallagher either.

[pluto]

Im not surprised the players in the U21 are not good enough as we are entering into a timeframe from relegation drom the PL in 2005 and then down again as we know. All the players well known from the academy all arrived when we where a PL side. Take away all the spin thats been placed on the academy and you literally just have what Walcott, Bale, Lallana, Chamberlain Shaw spread over 12 years at least.

[Graffito]

It gives me concern because I believe it to be true from what I have heard too.

Also a lot of it, is not his opinion he is actually posting it as fact if you read it again.

 

Well I've read it again and it reads like opinion not fact. It may be an opinion informed by inside knowledge, I really can't tell and which is why I was asking you why you are so concerned by it. In view of what you've said I'm not giving it any more credibility than any other opinion posted on the subject. I also think the final sentence is inconsistent with the foregoing. So Koeman's approach to integrating the under 21s is "rubbish" but he bears only "some" responsibility. We're not told who bears the remainder of the responsibility. Sorry, unless you're able to shed more light on the situation from what you've heard then I don't buy it.

[doddisalegend]

I find myself not caring much. While it's nice to have one of your own playing for the club the last few seasons have shown that any youth player who is any good will drop us like a hot brick if anyone comes sniffing and if no one is interested they are probably JWP. I just want the strongest squad we can afford if the are a good academy player great if not so what? If Koeman ,who lets faces should no a thing or two about good footballers, thinks they aren't good enough I'm cool with that. Right know I'd rather see a good striker and a goal scoring AM in the team were they come from doesn't bother me to much as long as they are putting the ball in the onion bag HTBH.

[Andy Durman]

It would appear that Mr Koeman is correct. We are at this point in time not producing quality young players for the first team.

 

Whilst we beat Chelsea U21 this was probably down to Frazer Forster than the quality of our play.

 

The Southampton conveyor belt has a few problems

[ART]

Having thought over Koeman's statement these past few days, I finally come to the conclusion that Koeman is frustrated that many of the Academy lads are refusing to go out on loan. I believe a number prefer the comfort zone, being close to their mates and close to what's going on at the club. They're probably afraid of missing out on an opportunity to play/train with the first team, which they probably consider would slow down their development and chances. Koeman's statement and apparent arrogance and distance may be his way to forcing them to take up a loan option. Certainly under the current Academy management set up I see little chance of these lads advancing as was sometimes the case in the past. I dislike that more ex Saints players are not being brought in to the Academy setup. One ex player we really missed out on was Keven Phillips who doing a good job in coaching these days.

[hypochondriac]

Im not surprised the players in the U21 are not good enough as we are entering into a timeframe from relegation drom the PL in 2005 and then down again as we know. All the players well known from the academy all arrived when we where a PL side. Take away all the spin thats been placed on the academy and you literally just have what Walcott, Bale, Lallana, Chamberlain Shaw spread over 12 years at least.

 

Chambers? Dyer?

[CB Fry]

Ridiculous isn't it. We're losing most weeks and scoring very rarely, with few striking options. It's not insane for people to want a young striker to get a chance. Yet you suggest it and people think you're suggesting he's some world class player. All people want is to find out if he has something.

 

Strikers more than any other position come down to composure. I've seen players who score loads in lower leagues or youth level still get in great positions in the premier league and bottle it. You'll never find out how he holds his nerve in the top flight without playing him.

 

This thread just seems to go in circles, people seem adamant that academy players are useless as they aren't in the team. What is this nondescript level of being good enough? We have some frankly useless players in our squad and some that get game time. Who on here is saying start academy players every week? No, there aren't the obvious Shaws or Bales, that's rare, but that doesn't mean you throw your toys out the pram and write off the academy. All people have said, is that when you're signing low level squad players like Martina, Caulker and co, perhaps is might be more beneficial and save money to just give the places to youngsters?

 

Somehow this tends to get translated to me saying Gallagher is amazing.

 

No one is saying write off the academy.

 

What this post does seem to be saying is play them for the sake of it, or play him for the sake of satisfying the curiosity of some fans.

[Smirking_Saint]

Ridiculous isn't it. We're losing most weeks and scoring very rarely, with few striking options. It's not insane for people to want a young striker to get a chance. Yet you suggest it and people think you're suggesting he's some world class player. All people want is to find out if he has something.

 

Strikers more than any other position come down to composure. I've seen players who score loads in lower leagues or youth level still get in great positions in the premier league and bottle it. You'll never find out how he holds his nerve in the top flight without playing him.

 

This thread just seems to go in circles, people seem adamant that academy players are useless as they aren't in the team. What is this nondescript level of being good enough? We have some frankly useless players in our squad and some that get game time. Who on here is saying start academy players every week? No, there aren't the obvious Shaws or Bales, that's rare, but that doesn't mean you throw your toys out the pram and write off the academy. All people have said, is that when you're signing low level squad players like Martina, Caulker and co, perhaps is might be more beneficial and save money to just give the places to youngsters?

 

Somehow this tends to get translated to me saying Gallagher is amazing.

 

The only player put of the recent academy graduates that looks reasonably adept is Reed, and he has the unfortunate issue of having effectively four maybe five first team midfielders above him in the pecking order.

 

Behind him Im struggling to name any that Id be happy to see grace the first team. All of pur 'promising' youngsters are on loan at teams way below our level or not getting game time. Those still at the club Koeman would no best, and if they arent good enough as judged by Koeman then I think Id be inclined to believe him. You cant just chuck in youngsters just because we as fans want to give them a go, that could be disastrous for both our form and their development if they habe a particularly poor game.

[egg]

So Reed was good enough when we were good, but now he's not good enough because we have far weaker players in front of him in his position?

 

Reed isn't good enough IMO. He's too ponderous on the ball. By that I mean that he doesn't know what to do with the ball until he receives it and then he's slow to use it and doesn't use it very well. He's also ill disciplined and picks up far too many bookings. In saying this I don't think he's any worse than Romeu who has similar failings. I would rather have seen Reed play a bit part role than have signed Romeu to have that role.

 

Ron's message was blunt but if he feels that none of the current crop look like they are going to be premier league player, then throwing them in is a pointless exercise. With that said I find his treatment of Hesketh and Seager odd. Hesketh was deemed good enough to start at Burnley and unless he's failed to recover fully I'd expect him to still be good enough. Seager has been in and around the match day squad but not used and been told that he's part of a crop of players not considered good enough. Even if Ron's judgement is correct, you have to question his man management.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

No one is saying write off the academy.

 

What this post does seem to be saying is play them for the sake of it, or play him for the sake of satisfying the curiosity of some fans.

 

Would rather satisfy the curiosity of some fans than continue to play a team / players who hold so little goal threat. I wouldn't be as concerned about Koeman's comments about the Academy and his clear hesitancy to provide a chance to any of them if the team wasn't misfiring so badly with no clear end in sight. In football you usually give others a chance if the current players aren't doing it for you.

[Andy Durman]

Mr Koeman spends a lot of time with the academy, watching training sessions. He is very active at all levels.

 

When players are ready to train with the first team, that's what will happen.

 

We may question the match tactics, but we should not question his understanding of which players are good enough to be promoted.

[simo]

Mr Koeman spends a lot of time with the academy, watching training sessions. He is very active at all levels.

 

When players are ready to train with the first team, that's what will happen.

 

We may question the match tactics, but we should not question his understanding of which players are good enough to be promoted.

Thats different from what 3 other people have said!

[thorpie the sinner]

Guess there will be a fair few new viewers for the U21 match against Liverpool tonight!

[suewhistle]

Thanks for pointing that out Thorpie.. :-) Will Seager play, I wonder? ;-)

[Wade Garrett]

Agreed, but at moment RK`s comments are just being used as an outlet for whining and beating the club with despite them being true

 

He may be doing it for the good of the club if the board are pressuring him to play youth regardless of whether they are good enough or not.

[simo]

He may be doing it for the good of the club if the board are pressuring him to play youth regardless of whether they are good enough or not.

 

But surely they cant do much worse than 9 losses in 11?

[Sour Mash]

In football you usually give others a chance if the current players aren't doing it for you.

I assume Chelsea, Newcastle, Swansea, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Sunderland have all been packing their sides with U21s, as that's what happens in football?

[derry]

Thanks for pointing that out Thorpie.. :-) Will Seager play, I wonder? ;-)

 

Don't expect to see him a lot in build up etc but watch him suddenly appear on the end of moves and hit the target. It's what he is, a goal scorer, not a non scoring worker playing in what should be a goal scorers position.

[david in sweden]

So Reed was good enough when we were good, but now he's not good enough because we have far weaker players in front of him in his position?

 

YES . I think so. but judging from U21 games I seen him in, he isn't as good now as he was when he played those few first team games.

 

When the team is playing well, you can afford to "carry" a player, and bring them into the game gradually, but when you're up against it and every man is important, the weak links start to show up. Luke Shaw looked great going forward, although he never actually scored, but his defensive qualities were a bit suspect at times, but he had good support from the CB's behind him and so even occasional errors weren't always that costly, he still looked good .....and the team (as a unit) were playing fairly well .

[david in sweden]

It would appear that Mr Koeman is correct. We are at this point in time not producing quality young players for the first team.

 

Whilst we beat Chelsea U21 this was probably down to Frazer Forster than the quality of our play.

 

The Southampton conveyor belt has a few problems

 

Absolutely!... at times, Chelsea were all over us, and it was a very scrappy game and I thought we had a big share of luck and Forster made the difference.

[Give it to Ron]

Absolutely!... at times, Chelsea were all over us, and it was a very scrappy game and I thought we had a big share of luck and Forster made the difference.

 

We have 3 important games this week - do you think we will be able to cope with Long/Mane playing nearly all 3?

Plus Davis/JWP could we have not given Seager at least 30 minutes to give them a rest what was the harm in that?

[disconnect]

We have 3 important games this week - do you think we will be able to cope with Long/Mane playing nearly all 3?

Plus Davis/JWP could we have not given Seager at least 30 minutes to give them a rest what was the harm in that?

 

Davis only played the first half and JWP came on at his usual 70 odd min mark. So they should both be pretty fresh, and I doubt either will play the full 90 in all 3 matches.

 

Am I the only one who think that's Seager's actually not that amazing?! I have watched quite a few u21 games, and although he's a good finisher, I think Scott Dann would've probably finished him within about 5 minutes of him being on the pitch...

[Highfield Saint]

I might be wrong but I seem to recall it being said that there was a potential gap in quality in the academy between the last "generation" and the under 16's of the time. Isn't this what we are seeing now?

[Lallana's Left Peg]

I assume Chelsea, Newcastle, Swansea, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Sunderland have all been packing their sides with U21s, as that's what happens in football?

 

It's not about packing your team full of U21's. It's about giving those players a chance if your senior professionals aren't doing the business for you. If our squad is stretched and the results have been awful and it means that the next in line are our U21's then so be it. But I noticed Chelsea played some U21's yesterday, Watmore is now starting for Sunderland ahead of international players, Man Utd have given debuts to youth team players this season (and one played on Saturday), and Aston Villa have now brought Grealish back into the fold.

 

I suppose it depends on what your definition of how good the U21's are - I believe the players many have identified as being able to help us this season have the credentials and have earned the right to be given an opportunity in the right circumstance.

 

Ryan Seager has done nothing but score goals for the U18's and U21's the last three years. That doesn't mean he is good enough for the first team (Sam Hoskins anyone?) but in this circumstance:

 

1. Pelle injured

2. Jay Rod injured

3. Shane Long's finishing being what we always know it to be - erratic and below average

4. Juanmi incapable of playing up front

 

You have no other forward to play. And Seager still doesn't get a look-in. For me this is exactly the sort of circumstance you look at a bloke who scores goals for fun and say 'this is your opportunity' and if he doesn't take it and if he doesn't impress then at least we know and at least he was given a chance. But if only having one senior striker fit means you still don't get a chance then it's wrong - because Seager has done everything asked of him and he has a professional contract and we're saying 'no chance for you'. Weird.

[Give it to Ron]

Davis only played the first half and JWP came on at his usual 70 odd min mark. So they should both be pretty fresh, and I doubt either will play the full 90 in all 3 matches.

 

Am I the only one who think that's Seager's actually not that amazing?! I have watched quite a few u21 games, and although he's a good finisher, I think Scott Dann would've probably finished him within about 5 minutes of him being on the pitch...

 

I am unsure as well but with inuries to Pelle and Rodriguez we have to utilise what we have and it wouldn't have hurt giving him a 20-30 minute run out.

I still would have liked Reed given a game just to keep Clasie fresh for Watford.

[Give it to Ron]

It's not about packing your team full of U21's. It's about giving those players a chance if your senior professionals aren't doing the business for you. If our squad is stretched and the results have been awful and it means that the next in line are our U21's then so be it. But I noticed Chelsea played some U21's yesterday, Watmore is now starting for Sunderland ahead of international players, Man Utd have given debuts to youth team players this season (and one played on Saturday), and Aston Villa have now brought Grealish back into the fold.

 

I suppose it depends on what your definition of how good the U21's are - I believe the players many have identified as being able to help us this season have the credentials and have earned the right to be given an opportunity in the right circumstance.

 

Ryan Seager has done nothing but score goals for the U18's and U21's the last three years. That doesn't mean he is good enough for the first team (Sam Hoskins anyone?) but in this circumstance:

 

1. Pelle injured

2. Jay Rod injured

3. Shane Long's finishing being what we always know it to be - erratic and below average

4. Juanmi incapable of playing up front

 

You have no other forward to play. And Seager still doesn't get a look-in. For me this is exactly the sort of circumstance you look at a bloke who scores goals for fun and say 'this is your opportunity' and if he doesn't take it and if he doesn't impress then at least we know and at least he was given a chance. But if only having one senior striker fit means you still don't get a chance then it's wrong - because Seager has done everything asked of him and he has a professional contract and we're saying 'no chance for you'. Weird.

 

Great post and thats my big problem - it's ok saying they are no good but how will he know until game time shows to back this up?

Reed has shown enough in the past - Seagar is an in the box striker - we don't have one of those so maybe something different may work.

[derry]

Davis only played the first half and JWP came on at his usual 70 odd min mark. So they should both be pretty fresh, and I doubt either will play the full 90 in all 3 matches.

 

Am I the only one who think that's Seager's actually not that amazing?! I have watched quite a few u21 games, and although he's a good finisher, I think Scott Dann would've probably finished him within about 5 minutes of him being on the pitch...

 

And if Scott Dann did, he would probably have had a penalty given against him or even sent off, those days are gone. You can't touch a striker in the area.

[derry]

Great post and thats my big problem - it's ok saying they are no good but how will he know until game time shows to back this up?

Reed has shown enough in the past - Seagar is an in the box striker - we don't have one of those so maybe something different may work.

 

Nail on the head.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Great post and thats my big problem - it's ok saying they are no good but how will he know until game time shows to back this up?

 

If we have a fit and in form squad I'm completely comfortable with Koeman saying 'Ryan Seager isn't good enough for my team'.

 

But right now the scenario is our two best strikers are injured and the only other one we've got (on average) hits the back of the net 5-7 times a season in the top flight. I can understand why Koeman wants another striker. But until he arrives I don't know what else about this circumstance says 'Seager still doesn't deserve a chance'. Cause if it is because he isn't good enough then I'll use that as a stick to beat Koeman with when he plays Yoshida and Martina - exactly the same applies.

[Sour Mash]

It's not about packing your team full of U21's. It's about giving those players a chance if your senior professionals aren't doing the business for you. If our squad is stretched and the results have been awful and it means that the next in line are our U21's then so be it. But I noticed Chelsea played some U21's yesterday, Watmore is now starting for Sunderland ahead of international players, Man Utd have given debuts to youth team players this season (and one played on Saturday), and Aston Villa have now brought Grealish back into the fold.

 

I suppose it depends on what your definition of how good the U21's are - I believe the players many have identified as being able to help us this season have the credentials and have earned the right to be given an opportunity in the right circumstance.

 

Ryan Seager has done nothing but score goals for the U18's and U21's the last three years. That doesn't mean he is good enough for the first team (Sam Hoskins anyone?) but in this circumstance:

 

1. Pelle injured

2. Jay Rod injured

3. Shane Long's finishing being what we always know it to be - erratic and below average

4. Juanmi incapable of playing up front

 

You have no other forward to play. And Seager still doesn't get a look-in. For me this is exactly the sort of circumstance you look at a bloke who scores goals for fun and say 'this is your opportunity' and if he doesn't take it and if he doesn't impress then at least we know and at least he was given a chance. But if only having one senior striker fit means you still don't get a chance then it's wrong - because Seager has done everything asked of him and he has a professional contract and we're saying 'no chance for you'. Weird.

 

So the same approach to us playing JWP and Targett then.

[ART]

With the under 21's playing this evening, don't expect any changes in the selection for Wednesday night's game. With Koeman we supporters just can't win and have to accept more of the same.

[Sour Mash]

Great post and thats my big problem - it's ok saying they are no good but how will he know until game time shows to back this up?

Reed has shown enough in the past - Seagar is an in the box striker - we don't have one of those so maybe something different may work.

 

That doesn't make sense. Unless you give every single U21 player a sustained run in the team, which not one single club does.

[Leicestersaint]

My faith in Koeman has certainly declined - why buy European players who aren't up to scratch when we could go for English ones - either our own or players like Gray who Leicester have just bought.