I remember after he had been here for about 2 months and PB said something like, we've decided his best position is central.
To be fair, how many of us would have thought that he would be a left back? Brilliant from him though. It just shows them idiots at the FA and head of the Premier League, that players can actually go out on loan to lower league clubs and can still break into a Premier League 11. To not just be wrapped up in cotton wool and be pampered in their under 21 teams. Go out and learn your trade properly.
Interesting:are you sure you learn your trade properly under Brown and Coughlan,rather than at Southamptons academy? I cannot recall the likes of Bale,Walcott,Oxlade-Chamberlain going out on loan anywhere.
I know the English game demands physicality(rather than skill?) but even that can be available. Not just the minimum 3 Chekkatrade trophy games ,but league games too.Last week I watched a very young and skilful Bournemouth team play a LEAGUE match against Innis,Sokolik,White,O'Neill,Fortune' etc.!
Started in Championship before Premiership-so what?Still learnt everything there,without having to drop right down on loan.I think you're twisting the facts there, Walcott and Bale both started their career with Southampton when they were still in the championship, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain made his debut season when Southampton were in League 1. I doubt they would have got anywhere near as much game time in their first seasons if Southampton had been in the premier league because the stakes are so high there, occasionally someone like Sterling comes along but it's rare someone adapts so well with no professional games under their belt. Also we have not played Bournemouth in the league, reserve matches are nowhere near the intensity of a league game.
Lallana went out on loan to Bournemouth.Started in Championship before Premiership-so what?Still learnt everything there,without having to drop right down on loan.
Two more ,off the top of my head...Lallana, Ward-Prowse.
There is no doubt Sam learned plenty on loan at southend. The delay in getting a clear chance with the first team at Saints whilst ultra-frustrating had the benefit of him being ready with confidence and maturity when his chance came. That maturity was partially learned living, training and playing with Southend. Sam realised his success was going to be down to him and his mentality when his chance came. I believe you saw glimpses of his ability during his 18 appearances but I'd put the real benefit down to him coping mentally with regular substitutions, defeats and giving away a penalty that led to a 1-2 defeat minutes after just missing out on scoring the winning goal. How you respond to failure is key to future success. Sam was absolutely determined to give it one more go doing his "pre" pre-season training in the Lake District to hit the ground running when returning back to Saints. He didn't want to go out on loan to league one again if he could help it. Koeman leaving and Puel arriving was a crucial key to him getting a chance of course but Sam had to be ready. If it didn't happen this autumn he was going to try elsewhere. The change to left wing-back though a surprise wasn't such a big change for him. He started life as a left back and has always had a defensive capability. At 13/14 years of age Luke Shaw requested moving to left back so Sam got moved to left wing. Little did we realise why. Luke clearly had better advisers. Anyway Sam's experience playing left back, left wing, striker, right wing, in the hole (all in Saints U21) and then centre mid (his first appearance for Southend) right back and roving winger (all a la Phil Brown) means his understanding is broad. Hopefully he is going to settle at left wing-back for a while but I can see him moving forward again as he develops physically and in experience. I believe he's capable of being a very flexible player in the future. So thanks Shrimpers. All part of the journey. :)
Started in Championship before Premiership-so what?Still learnt everything there,without having to drop right down on loan.
Two more ,off the top of my head...Lallana, Ward-Prowse.
Might want to double check Lallana, he went on loan to Bournemouth back when they were in a similar position to us. In the premier league if you take someone straight out of the youth team odds are they struggle, and when there's so much money involved in the premier league it's too risky to increase your chance of relegation playing kids. As a result unless you are a wonder kid you'll never break into the squad without picking up league experience on loan, plenty of kids are talented but discipline and experience are just as important and you don't get that in the reserves.
There is no doubt Sam learned plenty on loan at southend. The delay in getting a clear chance with the first team at Saints whilst ultra-frustrating had the benefit of him being ready with confidence and maturity when his chance came. That maturity was partially learned living, training and playing with Southend. Sam realised his success was going to be down to him and his mentality when his chance came. I believe you saw glimpses of his ability during his 18 appearances but I'd put the real benefit down to him coping mentally with regular substitutions, defeats and giving away a penalty that led to a 1-2 defeat minutes after just missing out on scoring the winning goal. How you respond to failure is key to future success. Sam was absolutely determined to give it one more go doing his "pre" pre-season training in the Lake District to hit the ground running when returning back to Saints. He didn't want to go out on loan to league one again if he could help it. Koeman leaving and Puel arriving was a crucial key to him getting a chance of course but Sam had to be ready. If it didn't happen this autumn he was going to try elsewhere. The change to left wing-back though a surprise wasn't such a big change for him. He started life as a left back and has always had a defensive capability. At 13/14 years of age Luke Shaw requested moving to left back so Sam got moved to left wing. Little did we realise why. Luke clearly had better advisers. Anyway Sam's experience playing left back, left wing, striker, right wing, in the hole (all in Saints U21) and then centre mid (his first appearance for Southend) right back and roving winger (all a la Phil Brown) means his understanding is broad. Hopefully he is going to settle at left wing-back for a while but I can see him moving forward again as he develops physically and in experience. I believe he's capable of being a very flexible player in the future. So thanks Shrimpers. All part of the journey. :)