Surman, Paterson and Martin return as coaches, Chris Allen U21s

[Master Bates]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24098491.southampton-confirm-arrival-former-player-surman-coach/

[Saint NL]

What happened to Lee Skyrme?

Took an arrow to the knee?

 

 

🤦

[VectisSaint]

So Olly has presumably ended his playing career. So no longer a backup for our 3 CBs, perhaps ditching Holgate was not such a good idea 😉

[Sarisbury Saint]

3 defenders as coaches. 

[Daft Kerplunk]

Excellent.  Ex-pros, and from the better youth era coaching kids how to be professionals. Was badly lacking previously. 

[HarvSFC]

There’s a real feel good factor around the club at the moment following the horror show of last season. Long may it continue.

[Saint_clark]

Wasn't that long ago we ditched Davis, Dodd etc complaining about how it was becoming a bit too much of a jobs for the boys situation. Hopefully everyone being appointed is fully qualified and capable. 

[hypochondriac]

37 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Wasn't that long ago we ditched Davis, Dodd etc complaining about how it was becoming a bit too much of a jobs for the boys situation. Hopefully everyone being appointed is fully qualified and capable. 

I can't speak for. The others but I know Surman is an athlete, takes great care of himself and got top marks in all his exams so is very intelligent as well. Combined with being an all around nice guy, I'd say he'd make a very good coach and role model for younger players. 

[SaintNewForest]

Fantastic to see some of our own coming back.

Okay, Lancashire & Paterson weren't great for us really and were forced into the side, and Martin wasn't really an academy player, but it is good to see people who know what it takes to play for us passing on that knowledge. Good to have people around like that. 

[Master Bates]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24099105.southampton-academy-chief-hints-new-player-signings/

[Daft Kerplunk]

Sounds much better in terms of not letting players stall in the development phase.  If a player has reached 23 and isn't in the first team then it probably isn't going to happen for them for whatever reason.  Let them go to a lower league team much earlier where they may find themselves, and it saves money too that can be spent on first team talent.  This is better for everyone, particularly if the club is not just indulging inconsequential first team appearance stats like it used to.  

[Dusic]

https://trainingground.guru/articles/southampton-aim-for-world-leading-programme-with-big-academy-changes

A significant amount of change, good summary here.

[Badger]

16 hours ago, Dusic said:

https://trainingground.guru/articles/southampton-aim-for-world-leading-programme-with-big-academy-changes

A significant amount of change, good summary here.

One name tucked away at the end of the article and overlooked:

Quote

The hugely experienced David Coles, who was Head of Goalkeeping for the Saints from 1997 to 2005 and has also worked for Portsmouth, West Ham and England, has returned as U18s Goalkeeper Coach.

He was very highly rated as I recall from his time with us before, although he did have Niemi to work with.

[ErwinK1961]

3 hours ago, Badger said:

One name tucked away at the end of the article and overlooked:

He was very highly rated as I recall from his time with us before, although he did have Niemi to work with.

I think Niemi made him look better. Paul Jones, Blayney, Paul Smith very much in his mould.

[Chez]

4 hours ago, Badger said:

One name tucked away at the end of the article and overlooked:

He was very highly rated as I recall from his time with us before, although he did have Niemi to work with.

good spot. That's a great signing. Coles gets bonus points for helping Niemi bleed the skates dry while offering nothing in return in terms of games.

[Chez]

On 05/02/2024 at 21:36, hypochondriac said:

I can't speak for. The others but I know Surman is an athlete, takes great care of himself and got top marks in all his exams so is very intelligent as well. Combined with being an all around nice guy, I'd say he'd make a very good coach and role model for younger players. 

Surman has been coaching the younger kids at AFC Bournemouth, so is getting a promotion by working with our U18s. As you say, great role model. He wasn't the most talented of physically gifted, but he forged a bloody good professional career.  Good to have him back.

[VectisSaint]

1 hour ago, ErwinK1961 said:

I think Niemi made him look better. Paul Jones, Blayney, Paul Smith very much in his mould.

Think that's a bit disingenuous, there wasn't too much wrong with Jones, especially as a backup, Neil Moss as well was OK-ish. Coles was pushed out in December 2005 when Redknapp was fired as part of a big clear out. Shame he went to the Skates afterwards (with Arry) but we shouldn't really hold that against him, worked with James and Begovic, has been with Bristol City and Forest Green since, and spent the last 4 years with the England u18s, still well regarded. Personally I'm pleased to see him back helping out the youngsters.

[hypochondriac]

2 hours ago, Chez said:

Surman has been coaching the younger kids at AFC Bournemouth, so is getting a promotion by working with our U18s. As you say, great role model. He wasn't the most talented of physically gifted, but he forged a bloody good professional career.  Good to have him back.

Those types often make the best coaches. Being a good person is just as important imo so he will be great with that aspect.