"Aiming to match Barcelona is a big ambition but you need to strive for that to be successful"
Right now there is one club receiving attention, acclaim and recognition. English football's Barcelona? No, it's not Man City, United or even Arsenal and Liverpool. In fact it is Southampton.
The south coast club lie 3rd in the league just three points behind the leaders Arsenal. It was only a few years back that this was a side playing in League One.
Delusions of grandeur?
When Nigel Adkins was sacked last season many were appalled
and disappointed that the man who had taken them to double promotions wasn't been allowed to have a chance in the top league. Xenophobia ensued with the reports that an English coach was to be replaced by a foreign manager (who many had not heard of).
Adkins was a doing an okay job according to many, it was tough for a club coming up from the Championship to compete and he should be commended for what he had achieved. However the board did not believe that Adkins was the right man to achieve their ambitions. They were not just happy with being in the league, or seeing it as an experience before going back to the Championship. No, Southampton's ambitions were bigger.
Champions League football ambitions?! Now that sounds perhaps delusional, and there have been many cases of sides who have suffered from their 'delusions of grandeur' in recent years. Yet Southampton appear very different. Their model is placed on development of players, a model and philosophy which has been in the process and evolving since the late 1990's. This club is serious about youth development and does it better than perhaps any other side in England.
The proof needs only be seen in what they have produced; Bale, Walcott and Chamberlain appeared to be the special few who emerged and left to prosper. Yet the past two years has shown that these were not 'one-off's' but simply some in an ever growing production line of high quality players.
To say the club have not not spent money at trying to achieve their goals is incorrect. This past two seasons there have been significant sums of money spent on Gaston Ramirez, Victor Wanyama and Daniel Osvaldo. Yet it is not these players who have made the difference and who have propelled Southampton to the the top echelons of the league.
The beauty of their success has come from their development model in players like Lallana, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse. All three are showing the talent and potential to become very, very special players for both club and country.
These add to the impressive recruitment of Lambert, Rodriquez and Clyne, Schneiderlin who have been the key difference makers. The signing of Dejan Lovren for £8.5m has proved to be great business to help modernise and bring quality to their defence.
The clubs success has come from two things; the coach and the clubs youth system.
The modern coach with a modern style
And with a modern coach it is helping their investment in youth development prosper. This is the real key to their success. Relegation in 2005 from the Premier League put the club in a perceived era of decline. A new stadium looked to have been a mistake and to have proved very costly for the club. However it was perhaps the best thing that could have happened to Southampton. Those years outside the top league allowed them to implement their vision regarding developing and nurturing young talent.
Adkins was a doing an okay job according to many, it was tough for a club coming up from the Championship to compete and he should be commended for what he had achieved. However the board did not believe that Adkins was the right man to achieve their ambitions. They were not just happy with being in the league, or seeing it as an experience before going back to the Championship. No, Southampton's ambitions were bigger.
Champions League football ambitions?! Now that sounds perhaps delusional, and there have been many cases of sides who have suffered from their 'delusions of grandeur' in recent years. Yet Southampton appear very different. Their model is placed on development of players, a model and philosophy which has been in the process and evolving since the late 1990's. This club is serious about youth development and does it better than perhaps any other side in England.
The proof needs only be seen in what they have produced; Bale, Walcott and Chamberlain appeared to be the special few who emerged and left to prosper. Yet the past two years has shown that these were not 'one-off's' but simply some in an ever growing production line of high quality players.
To say the club have not not spent money at trying to achieve their goals is incorrect. This past two seasons there have been significant sums of money spent on Gaston Ramirez, Victor Wanyama and Daniel Osvaldo. Yet it is not these players who have made the difference and who have propelled Southampton to the the top echelons of the league.
The beauty of their success has come from their development model in players like Lallana, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse. All three are showing the talent and potential to become very, very special players for both club and country.
These add to the impressive recruitment of Lambert, Rodriquez and Clyne, Schneiderlin who have been the key difference makers. The signing of Dejan Lovren for £8.5m has proved to be great business to help modernise and bring quality to their defence.
The clubs success has come from two things; the coach and the clubs youth system.
The modern coach with a modern style
Mauricio Pochettino was the man tasked with pushing Southampton forward. His experience at Espanyol proved his belief in youth development and playing a style of football which was expansive as well as being defensively secure.
Almost a year later it is clear that his influence, philosophy and intelligence as a coach have enhanced Southampton. Third after 11 games is not a false position, it is very much deserved.
In the summer a number of Southampton players spoke of the ambitions of the club and players to be challenging for a Champions League position. Many laughed that off, yet it is clear that they believed in their project.
Almost a year later it is clear that his influence, philosophy and intelligence as a coach have enhanced Southampton. Third after 11 games is not a false position, it is very much deserved.
In the summer a number of Southampton players spoke of the ambitions of the club and players to be challenging for a Champions League position. Many laughed that off, yet it is clear that they believed in their project.
Pochettino has brought a modern, European playing philosophy to the club, notably their high pressing game which has stifled sides like United and Liverpool very well this season. It is tactical pressing which rivals that of Barca and Bayern and highlights how talented and intelligent a coach the Argentinian is. His use of a modern 4-2-3-1 with fluid football in attacking roles has been a key reason for the sides success.
And there are some who believe that Southampton have become like Arsenal in terms of lacking fight and being vulnerable from set-pieces. Yet this just isn't true. In fact their goals versus Liverpool and United were from corners. It's clear they have the 'fight' and ability to play in all areas of the game, a valuable asset in the modern game, as Bayern have proven.
Evidently his persuasion skills are clearly impressive as his players have reacted and bought in to his methods and style superbly. The key facet of their impressive start has been their work rate and ethic. As individuals, units and as a team they understand what is expected of them and are executing that very well. Evidently he speaks English better than he lets on.
Investment in youth
And there are some who believe that Southampton have become like Arsenal in terms of lacking fight and being vulnerable from set-pieces. Yet this just isn't true. In fact their goals versus Liverpool and United were from corners. It's clear they have the 'fight' and ability to play in all areas of the game, a valuable asset in the modern game, as Bayern have proven.
Evidently his persuasion skills are clearly impressive as his players have reacted and bought in to his methods and style superbly. The key facet of their impressive start has been their work rate and ethic. As individuals, units and as a team they understand what is expected of them and are executing that very well. Evidently he speaks English better than he lets on.
Investment in youth
And with a modern coach it is helping their investment in youth development prosper. This is the real key to their success. Relegation in 2005 from the Premier League put the club in a perceived era of decline. A new stadium looked to have been a mistake and to have proved very costly for the club. However it was perhaps the best thing that could have happened to Southampton. Those years outside the top league allowed them to implement their vision regarding developing and nurturing young talent.
Much of the academy's success can be put down to Rupert Lowe's first spell as chairman. The philosophy that was put in place in the late 1990s was European in concept and owed much to Lowe's admiration for everything Arsène Wenger was achieving at Arsenal.
Southampton were among the first clubs to adopt an academy system at the end of the 1990s, when they still were a Premier League club. Relegation and the resulting steep drop in income made it more important than ever to keep the home-reared talent flowing.
With a continued empahsis on youth development Reed is trying to emulate the German model of youth development. The philosophy of player-development at Bayern Munich,’ says Reed, ‘is “two each year for the first team, two for the league, and two for the rest of German football”. And you find similar aims across the top Bundesliga clubs.’
The philosophy - intelligence, athleticism and attitude
The philosophy - intelligence, athleticism and attitude
As Reed says, stressing the importance of recruitment, talent ID and the coaching;
‘If we want half our team to come from the academy, which we do, the recruitment needs to be the best, and the development plan for each individual needs to be excellent, as do the facilities, the sports science and the technical quality of the coaching.’
The Academy philosophy became a model that aimed at "providing a proper structure to turn out clever players." As Lowe previously stated that players were
"We screened them not for football ability – that is not necessarily the key at that age – but for intelligence and athleticism. You can teach them the rest. If they're not clever and not athletic, you'll find it hard to push water uphill."
‘If we want half our team to come from the academy, which we do, the recruitment needs to be the best, and the development plan for each individual needs to be excellent, as do the facilities, the sports science and the technical quality of the coaching.’
The Academy philosophy became a model that aimed at "providing a proper structure to turn out clever players." As Lowe previously stated that players were
"We screened them not for football ability – that is not necessarily the key at that age – but for intelligence and athleticism. You can teach them the rest. If they're not clever and not athletic, you'll find it hard to push water uphill."
At Southampton they insisted on finding kids possessing intelligence and athleticism. As well as another key, but often overlooked aspect of youth development, attitude.
With the type of player in place, the academy put a major stress on the technical development of the players. When we watch Spain we see how great their technical skills are. Possessing technical excellence is so imperative to a game that requires an exquisite touch in tight areas and with limited time. With excellent decision making along with a high technical level a player can deal with many situations in a game with poise and composure. When we watch Xavi, Silva and Iniesta we see players confident with the ball, even under high pressure.
Southampton went out and hired Georges Prost, a French technical skills coach. Lowe believed that this type of coach was necessary for developing players for the senior team. A lot of his work and ultimate success can be put down to Georges's attention to detail; he taught the players, up to under-18s, technique.
With the type of player in place, the academy put a major stress on the technical development of the players. When we watch Spain we see how great their technical skills are. Possessing technical excellence is so imperative to a game that requires an exquisite touch in tight areas and with limited time. With excellent decision making along with a high technical level a player can deal with many situations in a game with poise and composure. When we watch Xavi, Silva and Iniesta we see players confident with the ball, even under high pressure.
Southampton went out and hired Georges Prost, a French technical skills coach. Lowe believed that this type of coach was necessary for developing players for the senior team. A lot of his work and ultimate success can be put down to Georges's attention to detail; he taught the players, up to under-18s, technique.
The foundations were in place to develop players for the modern game and thus the Academy if ran right could become a hotbed of developing talent. This has been proven right and the club and national team have and will continue to succeed from it.
A route upwards
The new Elite Player Performance Plan’s are looking to improve talent in this country by revolutionising the academy system. Yet there are flaws to this approach, especially when the emphasis appears to give the richest and biggest clubs the best young players. Is this really the right place for these players to go?
Players want to see a route to the first team and professional football. The top clubs in England on whom the EPPP has been set-up to ultimately benefit are not perhaps the best 'developers' or importantly the best places for players to be given the necessary opportunity between 17-21 years.
Why have Southampton become such a great academy? Yes they develop talented players, yet they also give players a 'chance'. Southampton have been able to appeal to young players because of the structure they have in their academy.
When young players see the production line and potential that Southampton offers. It doesn't matter who they are competing against, whether it’s Arsenal, United or Chelsea. Parents see what they are doing and believe it is the right place for their sons. Now of course there are only perhaps 100 players across the Academy who can benefit from this model of development. Imagine if there were 5,000 players across all academies working to a similar model of recruitment and coaching?
The new Elite Player Performance Plan’s are looking to improve talent in this country by revolutionising the academy system. Yet there are flaws to this approach, especially when the emphasis appears to give the richest and biggest clubs the best young players. Is this really the right place for these players to go?
Players want to see a route to the first team and professional football. The top clubs in England on whom the EPPP has been set-up to ultimately benefit are not perhaps the best 'developers' or importantly the best places for players to be given the necessary opportunity between 17-21 years.
Why have Southampton become such a great academy? Yes they develop talented players, yet they also give players a 'chance'. Southampton have been able to appeal to young players because of the structure they have in their academy.
When young players see the production line and potential that Southampton offers. It doesn't matter who they are competing against, whether it’s Arsenal, United or Chelsea. Parents see what they are doing and believe it is the right place for their sons. Now of course there are only perhaps 100 players across the Academy who can benefit from this model of development. Imagine if there were 5,000 players across all academies working to a similar model of recruitment and coaching?
The model to follow
There is a feeling and belief in English football that the 'model' to follow is that of Swansea's, A philosophy which runs through the club from the board down which hires coaches who fit in with the philosophy with a youth system who all follow suit.
This has been the problem with English football particularly with a new coach coming in and changing the philosophy and ethos of the club and then leaving a year or two later. This cycle has not been good for clubs to develop long term plans and thus the EPPP is intended to change this and modernise clubs approaches to development and philosophies. Yet instead of looking at Swansea (which is a good model) the one to really follow is Southampton.
There is a feeling and belief in English football that the 'model' to follow is that of Swansea's, A philosophy which runs through the club from the board down which hires coaches who fit in with the philosophy with a youth system who all follow suit.
This has been the problem with English football particularly with a new coach coming in and changing the philosophy and ethos of the club and then leaving a year or two later. This cycle has not been good for clubs to develop long term plans and thus the EPPP is intended to change this and modernise clubs approaches to development and philosophies. Yet instead of looking at Swansea (which is a good model) the one to really follow is Southampton.
What the FA, Football League and Premier League should be
doing do is using Southampton as a model for others to follow. Too much freedom
is given to clubs to develop their academies bespoke.
Southampton have shown others the way to develop players; imagine if more clubs were developing Lallana's and Ward-Prowse's, imagine if they had chairmen and managers who strived to develop, nurture and use home grown players. If more clubs were like Southampton then what a future we would see. More needs to be done to make sure this is the case.
Southampton have shown others the way to develop players; imagine if more clubs were developing Lallana's and Ward-Prowse's, imagine if they had chairmen and managers who strived to develop, nurture and use home grown players. If more clubs were like Southampton then what a future we would see. More needs to be done to make sure this is the case.
The Whitehouse Address @The_W_Address
Great post. I totally agree with your analysis and I love what Southampton are doing. Technique, athleticism, attitude, and intelligence. The latter two are difficult to measure at early ages, but absolutely essential over the long term. Incidentally, the Dutch look at "intelligence" and decision making very closely starting around 8 years and upwards, and they monitor from there as other capacities develop (i.e. technique, athleticism, attitude). This is why talent ID cannot be "one point in time" -- it's an ongoing dance between ID, develop, reassess, develop further, etc. And you don't really know what you have until the player reaches 18-21 years.
ReplyDeleteOne further attribute that is essential and frequently overlooked: Confidence. We've all seen great players and teams fail through lack of confidence, and we've seen "weak" players and teams succeed through belief in themselves. It's powerful.
ReplyDelete