Southampton under 21's vs Sunderland under 21's - First league game of U21 league

[Matthew Le God]

Saints currently 1-0 up, goal from Sam Hoskins after 12 minutes.

                Cropper

Butterfield  Stephens  Turnbull  Dickson(c)

                 Reeves

           Chambers    Moore

Sinclair                           Lee

                Hoskins



Subs: 
Johns (GK)
Curtis
McQueen
Young

Butterfield, Dickson and Tadanari Lee the overage players. Butterfield and Dickson possibly to impress scouts, although Butterfield maybe to be used this season often as "older head" to help lead the youngsters, Tadanari Lee to get match fitness after long injury.

[fish fingers]

Who are the keepers? Have they signed contracts with the club?

[Nexstar]

Who are the keepers? Have they signed contracts with the club?

Not sure about Cropper, but Johns is straight from the academy I believe

[Matthew Le God]

Who are the keepers? Have they signed contracts with the club?

Chris Johns has been at Saints since last summer and is a 2nd year scholar for the under 18's.

I don't think Cody Cropper has a contract, certainly not been announced. Cropper joined on trial earlier in the summer.

[Saint Garrett]

Is he the fella from Everton ?

[ThreeSixty]

Is he the fella from Everton ?

Nah that was Davies i think.

Cropper was from Ipswich?

[Ken Tone]

Any idea how Tadanari Lee is looking in terms of fitness?

[stevegrant]

What are the rules regarding over-age players?

[Minty]

No goal videos now then? Managed them at pre-season, was kinda hoping we'd see some for these games...

[Minty]

What are the rules regarding over-age players?

Ta-da!

* Three over-aged outfield players and one over-aged goalkeeper are allowed for matches in the Under-21 League.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Is anyone playing in the hole or is it part of a midfield 3?

[supersonic]

1-1 now

[stevegrant]

Ta-da!

[Colinjb]

The wing forwards type formation (4-5-1, 4-3-3 whatever...) seems to be something that is being used throughout all levels of the club.

Something to allow for easy transition of blood up the chain?

Hope Tadanari Lee is having a good game.

[Matthew Le God]

Chambers scores on 63 minutes. Saints lead 2-1.

Tadanari Lee subbed.

[the wedge]

3-1.

Forward Hoskins gets his second as he picks up Dickson's low ball and converts excellently. #saintsfcu21

[The9]

The wing forwards type formation (4-5-1, 4-3-3 whatever...) seems to be something that is being used throughout all levels of the club.

Something to allow for easy transition of blood up the chain?

All decent clubs force the kids to play the same system as the first team, it just helps them know what their positioning should be if they're ever called upon and helps build the appropriate decision-making early on.

[The9]

I see we're using Ben Reeves "the Slicemaster" as a defensive midfielder now ? That kid has played EVERYWHERE for Saints. Makes sense seeing as he cuts through every pass as if it's a 40 yard through ball, he can pretend to be Beckham in the quarterback role.

[Joey-deacons-left-nut]

3-2 ft

[Colinjb]

All decent clubs force the kids to play the same system as the first team, it just helps them know what their positioning should be if they're ever called upon and helps build the appropriate decision-making early on.

Yes, makes perfect sense. Just hope it doesn't restrict the first team too badly if a plan B is ever needed to be called upon.

[skintsaint]

I see we're using Ben Reeves "the Slicemaster" as a defensive midfielder now ? That kid has played EVERYWHERE for Saints. Makes sense seeing as he cuts through every pass as if it's a 40 yard through ball, he can pretend to be Beckham in the quarterback role.

[doddisalegend]

All decent clubs force the kids to play the same system as the first team, it just helps them know what their positioning should be if they're ever called upon and helps build the appropriate decision-making early on.

What happens when a new manager comes in with a different system? Surely the kids should be taught to play lots of different systems and be flexible?

[VectisSaint]

Good follow up to the U18s who won 4-3 on Saturday against Sunderland. Never saw that mentioned at the weekend.

[JRM]

good stuff.

does anyone have the link to the story stating which U21 home games are going to be played at st marys before Christmas? think i read it was spurs / man utd and newcastle, also would be interesting to see if any of the away games are being played at main grounds in the london area

[krissyboy31]

good stuff.

does anyone have the link to the story stating which U21 home games are going to be played at st marys before Christmas? think i read it was spurs / man utd and newcastle, also would be interesting to see if any of the away games are being played at main grounds in the london area

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/fixtures-r.../u21-fixtures/