Segura on our youth development blueprint

[Fernandinho]

Too true sir. Too true...

[el matador]

the top coaches understand that results have to be sacrificed for the long term development of players. the best example is where you have a top notch centre forward who scores goals for fun. you know that if he plays up front he'll grab a few goals every match and you will win most of them.

good academies realise that for the sake of the player its better that he also spends half a season playing out wide or in midfield to help develop his all round game.

however during this time you may not win as many matches and may lose a few. its a sacrifice that coaches obsessed with winning just wont make. it should be that first comes attractive attacking football with emphasis on passing, dribbling and ball posession. then if you play well you will score goals and may win matches.

people keep asking why are liverpools youth team playing ngoo in midfield or out wide where he looks uncomfortable, well its for the development of his all round game. good footballers should be comfortable with the ball all over the pitch and not just in their own areas.

in 20 years time the americans will be a world force because they are setting the academies up correctly now. the youngsters now entering at the ages of 4 and 5 will in 10 years be good at under 16 world level. in 15 years they will be under 21 heading to the full squad, and in 20 years they will be challenging for honours.

in terms of evolution of us soccer 20 to 30 years is absolutely nothing.

[davegrady1]

the top coaches understand that results have to be sacrificed for the long term development of players. the best example is where you have a top notch centre forward who scores goals for fun. you know that if he plays up front he'll grab a few goals every match and you will win most of them.

good academies realise that for the sake of the player its better that he also spends half a season playing out wide or in midfield to help develop his all round game.

however during this time you may not win as many matches and may lose a few. its a sacrifice that coaches obsessed with winning just wont make. it should be that first comes attractive attacking football with emphasis on passing, dribbling and ball posession. then if you play well you will score goals and may win matches.

people keep asking why are liverpools youth team playing ngoo in midfield or out wide where he looks uncomfortable, well its for the development of his all round game. good footballers should be comfortable with the ball all over the pitch and not just in their own areas.

in 20 years time the americans will be a world force because they are setting the academies up correctly now. the youngsters now entering at the ages of 4 and 5 will in 10 years be good at under 16 world level. in 15 years they will be under 21 heading to the full squad, and in 20 years they will be challenging for honours.

in terms of evolution of us soccer 20 to 30 years is absolutely nothing.

Can't agree more mate.

Its also great to see alot of our youngsters doing this, Im normally a striker and played a whole game in midfield once against a team with a strong midfield and it really opened my eyes as to the amount of work they do and it teaches the more lazy strikers like myself to not waste the ball and work more to shut down from the front etc while thats very basic and im sure theres much more to it for the academies etc I still took something out of it and improved because of that. I also remember Xabi playing CB for a game or two in the reserves with a similar aim in mind.

While I dont know much about the new system they have in US, but from what you said it sounds as if there heading in the right direction and I dont doubt that if they implement it correctly I think your totally right they will be a force to reckon with in years to come, its still a fairly new sport there and constantly growing and will continue to do so.

[el matador]

Can't agree more mate.

Its also great to see alot of our youngsters doing this, Im normally a striker and played a whole game in midfield once against a team with a strong midfield and it really opened my eyes as to the amount of work they do and it teaches the more lazy strikers like myself to not waste the ball and work more to shut down from the front etc while thats very basic and im sure theres much more to it for the academies etc I still took something out of it and improved because of that. I also remember Xabi playing CB for a game or two in the reserves with a similar aim in mind.

While I dont know much about the new system they have in US, but from what you said it sounds as if there heading in the right direction and I dont doubt that if they implement it correctly I think your totally right they will be a force to reckon with in years to come, its still a fairly new sport there and constantly growing and will continue to do so.

the us have introduced over the last couple of years a new way of developing playes based around technical ability. all their academies will adopt the same approach and they will do it correctly.

we cant ignore the phsyical aspect altogether because its integral to the english game, but if you combine strength, pace aggression with technical ability you have complete players.

all the best with your work in the OZ mate - sounds like youve got your work cut out

[davegrady1]

the us have introduced over the last couple of years a new way of developing playes based around technical ability. all their academies will adopt the same approach and they will do it correctly.

we cant ignore the phsyical aspect altogether because its integral to the english game, but if you combine strength, pace aggression with technical ability you have complete players.

all the best with your work in the OZ mate - sounds like youve got your work cut out

Good luck to them.

Your exactly right mate pity our countries only fancy the first 3.

Yeah I dont coach or anything anymore dont have time and was only involoved cause my ex played. but we arent in a good position at all and dont look to have any sort of plan for the future and doesnt seem like anyone decent will be playing for our us anyime soon. Though im quite excited about the LFC academy if they can all live up to there potential we have quite a few players who will be knocking on the door sooner rather than later, good luck to them.

[Fernandinho]

Too true Dave, we have some youth around but there does seem to be a lack or organisation in Oz...

[Charly]

I guess the US can afford to do that with the league system they have in place. With what we have, there is too much pressure, and too much risk with the amount of money circulating at the top.

It would be nice to have superstar players coming through each year, but when you consider the pressure they are under to perform when they do get selected, or how quickly some fans write them off, I guess the bigger lads are more likely to make an impact.

Did not stop Jay Spearing though...