SWINDON TOWN: Bodin delighted with MacDonald's approach to youth

6:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in STFC News By Andy Warren

Paul Bodin Paul Bodin

YOUTH team boss Paul Bodin has been hugely impressed by the way new manager Kevin MacDonald has gone about working with the club’s young players during his first few days at the County Ground.

The 52-year-old has a reputation for producing homegrown players following his 17 years working with youngsters at Aston Villa, and has already stated his desire to do the same in Wiltshire.

MacDonald and assistant Mark Cooper watched the Swindon youth team train on their first day on Friday, and on Tuesday invited the second-year scholars to join in with the first team before traveling to St George’s Park in Burton to watch the youth team’s clash against an RAF Combined Services side.

While accepting MacDonald needs to spend the majority of his time focusing on the first team’s League One promotion challenge, Bodin is grateful for any time the new boss is able to give his young players.

“Obviously the main priority is to carry on all the good work in the first team and stay in the high position in the league, and we really are in a fantastic position and don’t want to throw it away,” he said.

“But this is the time of year the second years need to start knowing what they’re doing and the manager needs to have a good look at them, and it has been tremendous because on the first day they were here they came across and watched us train for 20 minutes.

“They have shown the intent to look at young players, they are limited in their squad at the moment, so potentially any who have caught the eye could be in the squad for the weekend.

“It’s reassuring for everyone involved in the youth side that the new manager has shown a tremendous interest within a week, which is very encouraging.

“He is going to come up and watch our game against Plymouth on Saturday morning, which is great for the lads and is a breath of fresh air.”

Decisions have to be made regarding the futures of Town’s second year scholars, including Aaron Oakley and Louis Thompson, by the end of April, and Bodin has challenged his young players to impress both in their football and academic requirements in the next couple of months.

“It is pretty much the end of April, but it’s a little open-ended because they have to complete their framework at college, and that’s equally as important as their football,” he said. “We have had a 100 per cent completion in the last six years which I am quite proud of, because players can drop out - whether it’s the academic or the coaching they haven’t completed.

“They are all on target to complete, although one or two have a bit more to do and one or two others have gone back to college and done extra.

“It’s an important time for academics, but on the football front it’s also an important time to plant a seed in the manager’s thoughts.”

Comments(28)

california andy says...
6:55am Thu 7 Mar 13

The implied contrast to the person whose name must no longer be mentioned is telling. Louis Thompson was very impressive on the two occasions I saw him, and Oakley has made the bench on a couple of occasions, so one would hope both of them would be offered contracts. Really encouraging that with all KMac has on his plate that he has found the time to do this. A club like ours must depend upon its youth set-up.

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Chish and Fips says...
7:04am Thu 7 Mar 13

Must be like a breath of fresh air for Paul.
Also possibly sees it as enhancing his CV and experience working alongside
KMD.

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The Black Hand says...
7:19am Thu 7 Mar 13

Let's be honest here, what else would you expect PB to be saying with a new manager, comes new staff, everybody must be looking over their shoulders

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LeGod says...
7:49am Thu 7 Mar 13

i dont get all the hype over Bodin that some Town fans have if he was that good he would have increased his profile by moving up the ladder as a league manager i think people only praise him due to his time at Town but as much as i think both the Thompson brothers are both good players who else have we brought through that Bodin can take credit for. If he was that good he would be bringing through more players as Gradi does at Crewe but perhaps KM may help the cause now he is with us as he has brought a number of players through in his time from the youth set up at Villa.
There is nothing better than local lads coming through the ranks and making the grade and i hope we can start bringing more through now KM is here.

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southside7 says...
7:54am Thu 7 Mar 13

The Black Hand wrote:
Let's be honest here, what else would you expect PB to be saying with a new manager, comes new staff, everybody must be looking over their shoulders
Disagree. You can almost feel the relief in what he says, the relief of now being able to work with a grown up, dealing with things on an adult level. So pleased for you Zippy, a man of 'true' integrity.

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Psychedelic Syd says...
8:08am Thu 7 Mar 13

I think Kevin M has made a quietly impressive start appreciated by everyone at the club. Judge a person by what he does, not what he says, empty vessels make most sound as we recently found out.

It can only benfit our team if everyone at the club is working in harmony and singing from the same hymn sheet. That Italian soloist hit too many jarring notes ..........

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berswin says...
8:49am Thu 7 Mar 13

It is very importand for a (to be honest) small club like ours to develop youth players and get them up an into the first team.
Or sell them for a good transfer fee like Ben Tozer of Lukas Jutkiewicz.

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The Black Hand says...
9:03am Thu 7 Mar 13

berswin wrote:
It is very importand for a (to be honest) small club like ours to develop youth players and get them up an into the first team. Or sell them for a good transfer fee like Ben Tozer of Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Tozer came from Plymouth
Storey from Coventry

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jay.stfc says...
9:12am Thu 7 Mar 13

LeGod wrote:
i dont get all the hype over Bodin that some Town fans have if he was that good he would have increased his profile by moving up the ladder as a league manager i think people only praise him due to his time at Town but as much as i think both the Thompson brothers are both good players who else have we brought through that Bodin can take credit for. If he was that good he would be bringing through more players as Gradi does at Crewe but perhaps KM may help the cause now he is with us as he has brought a number of players through in his time from the youth set up at Villa.
There is nothing better than local lads coming through the ranks and making the grade and i hope we can start bringing more through now KM is here.
I completely understand the hype over Bodin. Only the Thompson brothers?? Miles Storey, Lee Bedford, Billy Bodin, Lukas Jutkiewicz although it was only his later development as a youth, also the same with Sean Morrison, Alex henshall was a huge prospect who moved to man city. This is to name but a few. I think we have a superb youth team coach in Bodin and long may it continue. Now KMd is the Swindon manager i'm sure more and more young local lads will come through the ranks due to the fact they know they have a genuine chance of first team football with KMd in charge

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avo says...
9:53am Thu 7 Mar 13

jay.stfc wrote:
LeGod wrote: i dont get all the hype over Bodin that some Town fans have if he was that good he would have increased his profile by moving up the ladder as a league manager i think people only praise him due to his time at Town but as much as i think both the Thompson brothers are both good players who else have we brought through that Bodin can take credit for. If he was that good he would be bringing through more players as Gradi does at Crewe but perhaps KM may help the cause now he is with us as he has brought a number of players through in his time from the youth set up at Villa. There is nothing better than local lads coming through the ranks and making the grade and i hope we can start bringing more through now KM is here.
I completely understand the hype over Bodin. Only the Thompson brothers?? Miles Storey, Lee Bedford, Billy Bodin, Lukas Jutkiewicz although it was only his later development as a youth, also the same with Sean Morrison, Alex henshall was a huge prospect who moved to man city. This is to name but a few. I think we have a superb youth team coach in Bodin and long may it continue. Now KMd is the Swindon manager i'm sure more and more young local lads will come through the ranks due to the fact they know they have a genuine chance of first team football with KMd in charge
It is also not to be underestimated the role of the football in the community guys. They're regularly coaching over a thousand local kids each week, thus spotting potential at the same time.
.
This set up, combined with the youth set up, is critical for a club like ours.

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London Red says...
9:53am Thu 7 Mar 13

I can see both sides of the arguement - as if we are honest the number of players coming through and making it at either STFC or anywhere at a decent level is as rare as Hen's Teeth
.
Jukebox and Morrison are probably the sum total in the last decade
.
Then when you analyse it - Morrison was poached by us (alongside Tozer) from Plymouth so was never really our youth - he joined at 16 and left at 18 - so is he any different to Cox or Ausitn who came an went in their early 20s???
.
Both were also Pre Bodin - and Budgie deserves most of the praise for that fruitful period (in cash terms)
.
However, of more recent times and under Bodin's watch it also has to be noted the First Team manager plays a major role
.
Wilson never used our youths - Thompson was a pro for before PdC arrived yet only got the odd sub appeaance in a cup game if he was lucky under Wilson
.
Kennedy was about before Wilson and despite playing exceptionally well was always over looked for Sheehan and Rose who were not as good IMO - in our relegation season Sheehan should never have been re-signed!
.
PdC looked initially as if he was going to break that trend and play the youths - first game we saw 3 involved - but he too tended to start looking elsewhere with Murray getting in ahead of Bodin and Kennedy being pushed out
.
Hopefully KM will finally be a manager prepared to give them a break and a chance to make it
.
Thompson and Storey look like the real deal and Nathan has always said Loius is better and Oakley is the highest rated of them all - so the future does look good with potential 4 decent squad members
.
Saying that though Oakley is a CB - with Flint and Devera out of contract - does he have 5 next year or put Oakley as the 4th with one of them moving on??????
.
That will see how the new model is going to work under our coaching approach

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London Red says...
9:55am Thu 7 Mar 13

Granted Henshall also made us money - but whether he threw his career away by moving to City we will only see over the next few years
.
He may become a Jukebox or Morrison or he could become a Tozer or Mills!

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grove red says...
10:11am Thu 7 Mar 13

berswin wrote:
It is very importand for a (to be honest) small club like ours to develop youth players and get them up an into the first team.
Or sell them for a good transfer fee like Ben Tozer of Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Who was the young goal keeper who went to Liverpool??

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KerroucheIsntOnFire says...
10:19am Thu 7 Mar 13

Thompson is the only player who looks good enough to play football at a league1 level. Storey Lucas Morrison Tozer were all from other youth teams,

The players that people use to rave about on here simply arent good enough, Billy Bodin will be released from Torquay, Will Evans plays conference north, Caton Wells Holgate et al simply not good enough, Sugar coat it all you want the youth set up having only produced N Thompson to a senior level is massively underwhelming,

It will be interesting to see if Lois Thompson develops into a first team player, Just because theyre representing Wales at youth level doesnt mean they are good enough (bodin prime example)

I love the idea that we will find a few gems in our youth team but history speaks for itself!

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swinloz1968 says...
10:24am Thu 7 Mar 13

grove red wrote:
berswin wrote:
It is very importand for a (to be honest) small club like ours to develop youth players and get them up an into the first team.
Or sell them for a good transfer fee like Ben Tozer of Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Who was the young goal keeper who went to Liverpool??
Jamie Stephens was the keeper that went to Liverpool. U14 keeper Gerrard Thompson went to Chelsea.

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the wizard says...
10:43am Thu 7 Mar 13

THURSDAY HUMOUR

We often complain of refereeing standards, well I wonder what Fergies take is on the name of the latest to disappoint at Old Trafford, the guy was called,

Cuneyt Cakir.

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southside7 says...
12:19pm Thu 7 Mar 13

the wizard wrote:
THURSDAY HUMOUR

We often complain of refereeing standards, well I wonder what Fergies take is on the name of the latest to disappoint at Old Trafford, the guy was called,

Cuneyt Cakir.
Not many letters need omitting from that name to get the true meaning.

Report this post »

the wizard says...
12:32pm Thu 7 Mar 13

southside7 wrote:
the wizard wrote:
THURSDAY HUMOUR

We often complain of refereeing standards, well I wonder what Fergies take is on the name of the latest to disappoint at Old Trafford, the guy was called,

Cuneyt Cakir.
Not many letters need omitting from that name to get the true meaning.
Being a fly on the wall in the changing room, PRICELESS !!! LOL !!!

Especially with Fergies accent, oh yes !!

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London Red says...
1:36pm Thu 7 Mar 13

I personally would judge success of the youth team as one person being promoted a season
.
Now this doesn't just mean a player just getting a contract and doing nothing like the Win a Pro's so far - but actually getting into the team and playing
.
You could therefore class Kennedy, N.Thompson, Bodin and Storey as a sucess in terms of the youth development as all did have (or still are) an impact
.
It should be learning and developing and getting the odd sub appearance in Y1 and possibly a cup start and maybe a few in the latter stages if we are not in a dog fight or prromotion battle (Very much like Storey this year)
.
Then like Thompson and Kennedy - should be considered a proper first teamer in Y2 onwards and can be used regularly
.
Storey's perfromances have suggested he could do that at L1 level - and could easily be considered as a starter next year
.
If we are in the Championship though???
.
I guess we will have to see - but the same could be said about most of the first teamers!
.
Now if one or both of L Thompson and Oakley do it next season great another success
.
Then hopefully we will start to hear of the next wave and one of them will progress the year after
.
The real icing on the cake would be one turns out to be a Walcott, Bale, Oxlain-Chamberlian or Zaha and move for a massive fee so we can then seriously invest in the squad to push the club on
.
Also by having those regular starters and a big money move - it might encourage the future Henshall, Stephens or Thompson to stay as they can see their career wouldn't be hindered as it is suggested as part of the rationale for moving

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grove red says...
2:14pm Thu 7 Mar 13

swinloz1968 wrote:
grove red wrote:
berswin wrote:
It is very importand for a (to be honest) small club like ours to develop youth players and get them up an into the first team.
Or sell them for a good transfer fee like Ben Tozer of Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Who was the young goal keeper who went to Liverpool??
Jamie Stephens was the keeper that went to Liverpool. U14 keeper Gerrard Thompson went to Chelsea.
Thats the one cheers there is another 2 yougsters.

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burley01rs says...
4:31pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Henshall on loan at Chesterfield

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burley01rs says...
4:52pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Kennedy was just as good as Cibochi

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London Red says...
5:20pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Didn't we have first option on loan for Henshall?
.
Or was that scuppered by the embargo!

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Another view says...
5:29pm Thu 7 Mar 13

There is no doubt we have a reasonable youth setup, despite the lack of interest from Wilson and Di Canio, as LR describes well. imagine what it must feel like working all those years with little interest from your boss. MacDonald's interest can only improve things further.

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Andy Evo says...
5:29pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Think its more attack minded players that need to be developed for the future.

Nathan Thompson, Cal Kennedy, Sean Morrison, Aaron Oakley all defenders which is good.

Fraser Digby must be happy to join at this time what with Wes being an excellent young keeper and with Bedwell having coming through the system, Stephens and Thompson having been sold to Prem clubs perhaps the future is bright for goalkeepers at the club.

I'd like to see a goal scoring centre midfielder / creative midfielder come through next.

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forzaswindon12 says...
6:23pm Thu 7 Mar 13

any news on potential loans we might be getting in yet? I thought we may have seen one or two in by the walsall game. we could do with a boost though luke rooney coming back into the side is an additional bonus.

CM, CF, winger + back up goalie hopefully.

good news that the youth coming through given priority

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DarrenSTFCRomain says...
10:07pm Thu 7 Mar 13

forzaswindon12 wrote:
any news on potential loans we might be getting in yet? I thought we may have seen one or two in by the walsall game. we could do with a boost though luke rooney coming back into the side is an additional bonus. CM, CF, winger + back up goalie hopefully. good news that the youth coming through given priority
Yes he is called EMBARGO

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BournemouthRobin says...
11:31pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Although not a great game one of the most pleasing things for me in recent years was seeing both the Thompsons playing against Sheff Utd. They both do look proper players, certainly good potential there to play above L1 - I thought Louis played unbelievably for a 17yr old. Just need to bring through and keep a few more like them - how great would it be in a few years to have a homegrown spine to the team. I believe there may have been some hope of this with the appointment of K MacDonald. I feel Bodin is doing a good job and can't do much if the players don't really get a chance or sold too early. If the board don't have a lot to spend maybe this is how they will aim to go with maybe selling a gem every couple of years to help balance the books....

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