5 Things That Ronald Koeman Is Getting Right And Louis Van Gaal Isn't
5. Use Of Youth Players
Both clubs have had an impressive tradition of developing world class young talent in the past, but there have been distinct differences in the way that the two have used their current crop of youngsters under their Dutch bosses, something that has been particularly obvious in the differences in the two club's exploits in the League Cup, typically used as an opportunity to blood young players. Callow and potentially nervous young players need to be accompanied with more experienced, level headed team mates whose leadership can point the way for them. Van Gaal's Ajax "Golden Boys", the team that won the 1995 Champions League, were filled with youthful talent but anchored by the wise old heads of Danny Blind (whose son is one of Van Gaal's new signings for the Red Devils) and Frank Rijkaard. Against MK Dons, though, Van Gaal threw in Reece James and Saidy Janko as full backs with no games between them, playing alongside a generally inexperienced defence. Naturally errors, nerves and lack of communication followed. Koeman also introduced a debutant full back in the form of Matt Targett in both Saints' League Cup games. Playing alongside the experienced club captain Jose Fonte, the England Under-20 international looked comfortable and capable even against the much more challenging opposition of Arsenal. Tyler Blackett is a United player with some potential, but against Leicester his lack of experience showed and being unable to rely on the support of more consistent, experienced players around him made him struggle in a match that saw him get sent off and his team throw away a 3-1 lead to lose 5-3. Further forward, while Koeman has integrated youthful talent like James Ward-Prowse into Southampton's usual attacking line-up, while Van Gaal has ignored Adnan Januzaj, the one bright spot in an otherwise terrible campaign last season, to splash out on trying to introduce new players to the team. In fact, Van Gaal's lack of interest in home developed players going forward leads us into our next point.
