Papa Shango

My preview of the game http://thesaintshub.com/youthcuppreview.html

McQueen has had back problems for months now. Suspect he will go when his current contract is up. Like the look of Sims, but I don't think he'll be ready for the first team for a while yet. Think Dom Gape might have been close, or at least got some Carling Cup involvement had he not been injured. Was at about the same level as Harrison Reed last season.

I think it means a lot more to the players than you think it does. It will be good for them to play in front of a crowd/decent atmosphere for once. The youth cup is taken more seriously than the league anyway, so I'd expect most of the 2nd years who play in the U21 squad to drop back down for this game (McCarthy, Targett, Flannigan, Seager, Gallagher). Youth football is quite unpredictable, but I'd still expect us to win comfortably. Hopefully a good performance will encourage more people to attend U18 games in the future.

Never seen pompey's cup final goal

I've never been convinced by Gallagher, but people at the club who know a lot more than I do seem to rate him quite highly. Turnbull and Stephens have been disappointing since going on tour with the first team in the summer. I like Targett, but he isn't anywhere near the level some people think he is at. Jake Flannigan has looked pretty good this season from what I've seen, and at only 17 he still has plenty of time to improve even further. Think him and Harrison Reed probably have the best chance of making it, but its not going to be easy for anyone given how quickly the first team are improving. Seager's doing ok, but I thought he might have progressed a bit further by now considering how well he started last season.

Incorrect. It's been a collective process since day one. Cortese said as much himself in an early interview

I wrote about youth team players recently Keepers/Defenders: http://thesaintshub.com/201213youthreport.html Midfielders/Attackers: http://thesaintshub.com/201213youthreport2.html Always difficult to say which players will make it to the first team. I wouldn't say anyone is ready to step up imminently, but then again Luke Shaw hardly looked ready playing for the U21's at the start of last season (and the U18's the season before). There's plenty of talent there, but the more we progress, the harder it will be for the youngsters to break through. Seager looks very exciting, but could probably benefit from a full year in the U21 setup before making the jump to the first team. Pretty much agree with 'Lallana's Left Peg' in terms of the other names. Of the new scholars Josh Sims is a very skillful player and definitely one to look out for in the future.

There's Josh Sims, Kyle Clinton, Harry Isted, Will Wood, Daniel Demkiv, Carel Kayembe and probably a couple of others I can't remember right now. Debayo has been at the club for a while already

Wouldn't be upset if he was our 2nd choice RB next season. Suspect he will be involved with the first team in pre-season again, so if he performs well in those games he could be in with a decent chance. One of the most consistent players at U21 level last year.

Remember hearing about that at the time. Didn't realise it was him

Reeves actually did very well at Southend by all accounts. A very good player, who is still capable of having a fulfilling career (Same goes for Hoskins)

He played a few U18 games last season. Highly regarded at Staplewood apparently

Not for me. As mentioned above he's a Skate who bottled it at Fratton, got needlessly sent off against Palace and cost us two points against Everton. He had a few good months for us, but other players have contributed a lot more and not been afforded a decent reception. He couldn't give a **** about us (Not that he should)

Crouch can **** off

Tony Evans has said on Twitter and on 'The Game' podcast before that he speaks to Cortese. Would be very surprised if this hasn't come from NC

My preview of the game, looking at comparisons between Adkins and Pochettino http://www.thesaintshub.com/readingpreview.html

Can definitely see Chambers being our 2nd choice right-back next season with Butterfield and Richardson set to go out of contract. Omar Rowe has been our most impressive player at U18/U21 level this season IMO. Doesn't always make the right decisions (like most young players) but the ability is certainly there. Schneiderlin said he was very impressed when he joined in with 1st team training last week. As for the rest, I think Matt Targett, Jake Flannigan and Ryan Seager have the best chance of making it with us. I'm still a big fan of Ben Reeves, and would like to see us persist with him for a bit longer. He's nearly as gifted as Lallana - easily Championship standard right now IMO. Sam Hoskins probably won't quite make it for us, but I expect he will have a good career in the Football League. Dom Gape and Harrison Reed are very good players, but play in a position where we are already very well stocked (CM). Ariybi and McQueen are decent wingers, who bring something different to the table. Alberto Seidi might be as gifted as any of the youngsters, but he's still very raw. Jake Sinclair has a chance, but his size could count against him. Robinson looks a bit too limited to me. I expect he will go in summer. Isgrove is very injury prone, which will probably prevent him from making it to the top Jack Stephens is a natural leader and a big character. He's improved quite a bit recently, so I wouldn't completely write off his chances. Sam Gallagher - the giant U18 striker is highly rated at Staplewood, although personally I have some reservations about him. Worth keeping an eye on Josh Sims in the next few years too. Still only 15, but he has already shone in the U18's this season. Looks a very talented player.

Following on from Artur Boruc's recent comments about being signed against the wishes of Nigel Adkins I've written an article about Saints' transfer policy/philosophy and about the Director of Football type system in general. Give it a read http://thesaintshub.com/saintstransferpolicy.html

Have written a new piece about Redknapp's recent career. From his time with us to QPR, plus everything in between. Give it a read: http://thesaintshub.com/redknappreturns.html

My thoughts on the whole situation http://thesaintshub.com/adkinssacked.html Surprised at how upset it made me. Expected the day to come eventually, but didn't think I'd feel this bad.

My player ratings/report: http://thesaintshub.com/chelsea2-2saints.html Never been so pleased with a draw in my life. Love this club

My preview of the game: http://www.thesaintshub.com/arsenalaway1213.html

Seaborne was ahead of Martin in the pecking order until his injury. Apart from Peterborough away, he rarely let us down in League 1 and was brilliant in the first month last season. Don't understand why everyone is so down on him. His performances have been a level above Martin's. If he is better by a country mile, why did Pardew and Adkins always pick Seaborne ahead of him when fit?

We lost our first five in 1998/99

Agreed, never understood the fuss about Martin, nowhere near good enough for us now. Even Seaborne is a class above him, and he's almost certainly not PL standard.