There’s nothing more refreshing than a first team littered with home-grown talent, after all, just look at what Harry Kane has stirred up and should some of Saints’ most renowned products have remained with the club, they’d have made up at least half of the England squad! The vote of confidence via social media always helps; nonetheless one man in particular has been pivotal in filling the likes of Adam Lallana’s boots in the same fashion. Ronald Koeman. Following his fine example ‘high standards,’ Saints’ academy has established itself as one of the most reputable in the league. Of course it was under Pochettino that the now £30m Marchwood training facility was developed to provide for the academy but that simply paved the way for our current boss to feel the need to keep a watchful eye on Matt Hale’s boys. The progression from thereon is evidenced no better than former left-back Luke Shaw – at only 19-years-of-age – commanding fees believed to be significant enough to get Southampton’s money back on the training ground’s reconstruction!
They’ve certainly fulfilled their aim to ‘produce Premiership class players,’ even tempting Norwegian star Martin Odegaard at one stage in January prior to a big money move to Madrid. Many have been taken aback at the roaring success’ on display at St Mary’s and its not surprising only few take interest in the youth tiers but it is very much down to acute hand-picking of who stays and who goes with a dash of brutal honesty despite broken hearts. But what is admirable about the men behind the magic is their efforts to work tirelessly and find alternatives – whether in this league or another – that will better suit the reject. Let’s call it a Plan B. Perhaps the quality of football is taken down a notch but the backroom staff certainly won’t send the player to a team that will undermine their potential. And who knows, they might come back around given time in another first team, the sensational story of our Rickie is somewhat unforgettable.
Super support from our gaffer giving the youngsters a chance to train alongside the senior squad – almost ‘dangling the carrot’ for the best of the Under 21s, a seemingly effective method – only serves to bolster a growing wealth of experience and such has been the case for upcoming backline asset Matt Targett. The left-back even earned the jersey against top flight opposition QPR this season. Move over Luke Shaw. Whilst the teen captains the England Under-20s, Prowsey wears the armband in the next level up, these leadership qualities are undoubtedly healthy competition for Jose Fonte and suggests the first team can even reap the rewards of the youth setup, forced to stay in form with prospects of the highest order snapping at their heels. Additionally, I can’t go without mentioning the legend that is Matthew Le Tissier, a blast from the past that tells us Saints were searching close to home even before my time!
‘The Southampton Way’ is inevitably the future of football.
