Article on the Youth Set-Up and the Value of the Training Complex

[StartingPrice]

Just thought I'd pass this on. Features academy manager, John McDermott, discussing various aspects of the club's youth policy, including the value of the training centre, the club's stress on youth development and reflections on the defeat in the NextGen, alst week. Available here:

http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/t...a_no_excuse_culture_for_young_stars_1_1991876

"Tottenham’s academy manager John McDermott says the club’s new training ground has created a “no excuse culture” which is aiding his efforts to develop Spurs’ young prospects.

The Lilywhites moved into their £45million state-of-the-art facility, which houses the first team and the youth section, at the beginning of the season – and McDermott feels the players’ surroundings are having an effect.
“Is there more of an emphasis on producing young players now? I like to think it’s always been the case,” he said.
“In terms of the new training ground, it’s brought a huge boost to us, and to the whole club. It’s an outstanding environment to work in and it just provides a no excuse culture really.
“They’re fantastic pitches and there’s plenty of staff. Players with talent and players that apply themselves have got every chance of doing well – and this year Andre [Villas-Boas] has been giving a number of our boys an opportunity. As somebody in my job that’s what you want.
“You want talent to be able to meet opportunity and thankfully with Steven [Caulker], Tom [Carroll], Andros [Townsend] going out on loan and Danny [Rose] playing at Sunderland, the boys are now having the opportunity to showcase their talent, and that’s all I can ask for really.”
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy made reference to the long-term importance of the club’s youth development programme when he appointed Villas-Boas.
Levy said in July: “Andre [Villas-Boas] shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world-class training centre.”
Nine months on, McDermott says Spurs’ head coach is committed to that mission and is keeping an eye on a number of the talents who have been impressing in the youth sides.
“The manager has been fantastic,” he said. “Shaq [Coulthirst] was on the bench at Liverpool, and he’s trained with the first team quite a lot. So has another of the boys, Harry Winks.
As I said, in terms of the no excuse culture at the training ground, the manager’s giving the boys the opportunity and he knows who they are. It’s up to people like Shaq and Harry to take the opportunity and impress.”
Unfortunately, Spurs’ young stars suffered disappointment last week as the Under-19s were eliminated from the NextGen Series.
The junior Lilywhites lost their quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon 5-3 after extra-time at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road, having fought back from 3-1 down to equalise in the 95th minute and force another half an hour of play.
“It’s disappointing really, the way we started the game and going 3-1 down,” said McDermott. “We got back to 3-3 and I thought we had a real chance in extra-time, but a mixture of good striking from them and maybe not the best defending from us just helped them to get it in the end. I’m just disappointed that I don’t think we showed as well as we can play.”
Despite the result, McDermott feels his side will be better off for their experience in the prestigious European competition.
“I think the tournament’s outstanding,” he said. “We’re trying to produce Premier League players here. The Premier League is obviously multi-national and it gives our players the opportunity to play against top Portuguese, French and German players.
“It’s real category A opposition and it gives us a true reflection of the different types and different blends that you get in the Premier League.
“For the last six or seven years we’ve been playing lots of different international tournaments. We normally go abroad and try to find them but NextGen have provided a fantastic opportunity for an organised tournament throughout the season.
“We go to a number of other tournaments now. We go to Ajax and we go to Moscow.
“We’ve still got a league to play in with the Under-18s. We’re doing well in that league and we’re doing well in the Under-21 league – and there are three tournaments between now and the end of the season to continue in this vein.”

 

[west indie]

Was a good read thanks for posting SP, and good to see your still about

 

[StartingPrice]

Was a good read thanks for posting SP, and good to see your still about

Still about what? What have you heard? It's all lies! Lies I tell ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, though:
1) The role of the training centre in the creation of a no excuse culture - how important could that be in the creation of a winning mentality? Though it does need to be said, Beetroot Head, up at OT, always has an excuse when his bunch lose

2) Seeming confirmation, from McDermott, that AVB will be (and is ATM) seriously looking at integrating our youth product into the 1st team squad.

3) Confirmation, as some have been questioning it, that Levy has explicitly stated that AVB was appointed with a view to 2, above.

 

[cwhite02]

Nice read. It will be interesting to see where Rose and Townsend end up playing next season. I think both will be back and in the squad.

 

[StartingPrice]

Nice read. It will be interesting to see where Rose and Townsend end up playing next season. I think both will be back and in the squad.

I would hope it is with us.

I have noted that Townsend is always direct and intent on making something happen (as well as being half-decent) - just what we need when things seem to be stagnating on the pitch. I accept that the management and back-room have far mroe of an idea than us of what is going on behind the scenes, so I am sure they had their reasons, but I felt that the worst bit of business we did in January was in letting him go out on loan.

As for Danny Rose, his tenacity always impressed me, and he, of course, has the requisite attacking capabilities for a modern full-back. I've never understood why some Spurs fans were so quick to get on his back - he was a young lad being asked to make a fundamental change in his position and role, it as never going to be all plain-sailing. I hope he will be back next season, and, as with the rest of the young lads, AVB will be able to offer plenty of game-time, as opposed to saying they are still part of his plans and then never, ever giving them a run-out unless in extremis.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Nice read. It will be interesting to see where Rose and Townsend end up playing next season. I think both will be back and in the squad.

Harder to keep hold of Rose, as he will want regular football and he appears to be keen on a return North to be closer with family. I don't expect us to keep Rose, but Townsend will be back involved next year.

 

[MightyModric]

“Shaq [Coulthirst] was on the bench at Liverpool, and he’s trained with the first team quite a lot. So has another of the boys, Harry Winks.
As I said, in terms of the no excuse culture at the training ground, the manager’s giving the boys the opportunity and he knows who they are. It’s up to people like Shaq and Harry to take the opportunity and impress.”

Who is Harry Winks?

 

[StartingPrice]

Who is Harry Winks?

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/ind...8-leagues-and-other-youth-news.88939/page-119

 

[Spurs1960]

Just thought I'd pass this on. Features academy manager, John McDermott, discussing various aspects of the club's youth policy, including the value of the training centre, the club's stress on youth development and reflections on the defeat in the NextGen, alst week. Available here:

http://www.tottenhamjournal.co.uk/t...a_no_excuse_culture_for_young_stars_1_1991876

"Tottenham’s academy manager John McDermott says the club’s new training ground has created a “no excuse culture” which is aiding his efforts to develop Spurs’ young prospects.

The Lilywhites moved into their £45million state-of-the-art facility, which houses the first team and the youth section, at the beginning of the season – and McDermott feels the players’ surroundings are having an effect.
“Is there more of an emphasis on producing young players now? I like to think it’s always been the case,” he said.
“In terms of the new training ground, it’s brought a huge boost to us, and to the whole club. It’s an outstanding environment to work in and it just provides a no excuse culture really.
“They’re fantastic pitches and there’s plenty of staff. Players with talent and players that apply themselves have got every chance of doing well – and this year Andre [Villas-Boas] has been giving a number of our boys an opportunity. As somebody in my job that’s what you want.
“You want talent to be able to meet opportunity and thankfully with Steven [Caulker], Tom [Carroll], Andros [Townsend] going out on loan and Danny [Rose] playing at Sunderland, the boys are now having the opportunity to showcase their talent, and that’s all I can ask for really.”
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy made reference to the long-term importance of the club’s youth development programme when he appointed Villas-Boas.
Levy said in July: “Andre [Villas-Boas] shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of developing players and nurturing young talent, and he will be able to do so now at a new world-class training centre.”
Nine months on, McDermott says Spurs’ head coach is committed to that mission and is keeping an eye on a number of the talents who have been impressing in the youth sides.
“The manager has been fantastic,” he said. “Shaq [Coulthirst] was on the bench at Liverpool, and he’s trained with the first team quite a lot. So has another of the boys, Harry Winks.
As I said, in terms of the no excuse culture at the training ground, the manager’s giving the boys the opportunity and he knows who they are. It’s up to people like Shaq and Harry to take the opportunity and impress.”
Unfortunately, Spurs’ young stars suffered disappointment last week as the Under-19s were eliminated from the NextGen Series.
The junior Lilywhites lost their quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon 5-3 after extra-time at Leyton Orient’s Brisbane Road, having fought back from 3-1 down to equalise in the 95th minute and force another half an hour of play.
“It’s disappointing really, the way we started the game and going 3-1 down,” said McDermott. “We got back to 3-3 and I thought we had a real chance in extra-time, but a mixture of good striking from them and maybe not the best defending from us just helped them to get it in the end. I’m just disappointed that I don’t think we showed as well as we can play.”
Despite the result, McDermott feels his side will be better off for their experience in the prestigious European competition.
“I think the tournament’s outstanding,” he said. “We’re trying to produce Premier League players here. The Premier League is obviously multi-national and it gives our players the opportunity to play against top Portuguese, French and German players.
“It’s real category A opposition and it gives us a true reflection of the different types and different blends that you get in the Premier League.
“For the last six or seven years we’ve been playing lots of different international tournaments. We normally go abroad and try to find them but NextGen have provided a fantastic opportunity for an organised tournament throughout the season.
“We go to a number of other tournaments now. We go to Ajax and we go to Moscow.
“We’ve still got a league to play in with the Under-18s. We’re doing well in that league and we’re doing well in the Under-21 league – and there are three tournaments between now and the end of the season to continue in this vein.”

First of all a huge thanks to StartingPrice for this article because it is the most significant news to have come out of the club in a long while. A mere 478 views and 7 comments suggest it is lost on the majority.

A 'no excuse' culture brings success one step closer. That mindset in sport is absolutely essential.

Those that know little of the mind just dismiss anything to do with it, but sport and winning is all about the mind and how it reacts under pressure. In a game a player has at any moment a whole bunch of alternatives and he has to make decisions all the time. The better players make the better decisions more of the time, especially when they are tired.

If the youth coming through learn that refereeing mistakes or unfortunate own goals are just excuses to try and justify a defeat they will become mentally stronger, adversity will not bother them.

Opportunity when it arises must be taken, not this nonsense you hear from many of our fans all the time, 'he needs a run of games' or 'give him a chance.'

Transfer that to a game a moment and think of a scoring opportunity, would you like it to fall to a player with a 'no excuse' mindset or one who looks for excuses?

The right mindset will produce more clinical players, more confident players, more determined players and players who expect to win. In short, it will produce better players, it will produce winners.

 

[dontcallme]

Interesting article and gives extra hope that we have a genuine long-term plan when it comes to implementing our youth players into the 1st team squad.

A positive culture is vital and the young players need to take advantage of the world class facilities at their disposal. Any young player with ability getting a chance at training with Spurs now can't complain about inadequate facilities holding them back.

Some players might leave for 1st team football but if we can become less reliant on the transfer market then we are much better off.

 

[StartingPrice]

"dontcallme, post: 3264486, member: 4129" ]Interesting article and gives extra hope that we have a genuine long-term plan when it comes to implementing our youth players into the 1st team squad.

A positive culture is vital and the young players need to take advantage of the world class facilities at their disposal. Any young player with ability getting a chance at training with Spurs now can't complain about inadequate facilities holding them back.

Some players might leave for 1st team football but if we can become less reliant on the transfer market then we are much better off.

I believe Levy is to good at what he does to not have a plan when it comes to implementing our youth players into the 1st team squad. You only have to look at the job titles and remits he has created, where there is a clear vision for facilitating the progression of young players from one age squad to the next, up to and including the 1st team.

There is an ongoing discussion on some of these issues in the thread on the U-21's, etc.
If a significant number of our present younglings come remotely close to fulfilling their potential, we could be in the difficult position of deciding which ones to let go, knowing that some of the ones we let go could well go on to be EPL level players, and maybe very good ones. The best way to deal with that, IMHO, is to negotiate a combined sell-on clause, with a buy-back clause included.
I think it is important to recognise that the youth set-up is not just to produce 1st team players, but 1st team players, squad players and players to sell on for a good fee. That is how a youth set-up should operate and I honestly believe that Levy would as soon shut the academy down as keep running such an unproductive unit. I believe this process began in the period after GHodd was dismissed (when <SHUDDERS> David PleatMeister was caretaker ).
I also believe it needs to be clarified exactly what a youth set-up is. Some posters seem to believe that only players who have come through the academy can be classed as part of the youth set-up - at the plenty of them make comments about needing to produce young players like United do, and then cite Rooney, ignoring the fact that they bought him at 17 YO from Everton. I take the view that our youth set-up begins with the U-21's, and, when viewed from that perspective, we have had plenty of players in recent years, that we have acquired at 16/17 YO, developed and progressed through the youth set-up into the 1st team (Lennon, Bale, Walker, Caulker, Livermore, Huddlestone I think).
I believe that what we are seeing now is just the beginnings and not the full-flowering of our youth set-up. Exciting times, IMHO.