22 May 2015 14:14:45
there's been a few posts about which players out of the under 21's people think will make it into the first team recently, personally I'm very excited by 3 of the current under 21's in particular, I think Hesketh, Gallagher and Reed (who I know is already in the first team) could be something really special. I also think the likes of McQueen and Isgrove could be more involved next season as they seemed impressive last pre-season, Turnball and Stephens have had fantastic loan spell too so they could be more involved too, or it would be good for both to be loaned back to Swindon if their promoted, Seager and McCarthy both look quality too, there's a lot of potential their!
22 May 2015 22:31:22
Did you realize that of the eleven players to start the second leg of the U21 Premier league cup final, Nine have featured for the first team.
Josh Sims really excites me. There's something of the Lallana about him, and he works well with Hesketh. Probably the best prospect coming through at the moment is Callum Slattery. This kids is still a baby, but could potentially get a bit part in a first team fixture next season.
As to who could make it into the first team, I think we'll see fewer kids regularly coming though, and the ages of those that do going up. For me, Gallagher, Reed, Seager, Isgrove, all stand good chances of being involved in match squads regularly (if on the bench more often that not).
23 May 2015 06:19:46
If we get Europe I would have thought these guys will be played.
23 May 2015 17:13:13
Sims looked terrific last season but has had a bit of a quiet campaign this time around and hasn't quite kicked on. But he's still eligible for the U18s, so there's no hurray - it's not a disaster if he stalls a bit. I think it's probably a physical thing which will come in time, a bit more pace, bit more strength. But he's the best wing prospect, in my opinion.
The trouble with Slattery is no-one really expects him to sign a pro contract at Saints when he's old enough. He'll use the club for his youth development but then join Arsenal or Chelsea who have been all over him for a few years now - he's even been retweeting their reported interest at times.
23 May 2015 21:42:25
That may be true, but he'll certainly get more first team game time at Southampton than he would moving elsewhere. The trouble with these outstanding prospects is that the hype goes to their head.
I'm always amazed at how well grounded the Saints kids seem to be. It's obviously something that the club works on with the kids. Also though it's about picking the right kids in the first place.
If any club can bring him down to earth, and get him doing his job of learning his trade then it will be Southampton FC