U23's confirmed as relegated from PL2. https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-05-05/u23-report-manchester-city-southampton-premier-league-2
Abject performance in the 2nd half. Gardos went from being solid to jelly-like. I'm not sure what the implications of relegation are for the U23's but it can't be good for an Academy with the reputation ours has.
If we won all of our last 4 matches which we easily could have, we would have finished 5th, possibly 4th. Fine margins. Really disappointing though.
Totally agree, we keep playing players who aren't good enough for the first team squad who simply aren't interested in playing at this level and therefore don't put the effort in. Add to that returning injured players who don't put 100% in just in case they aggregate their injury, you don't have the best mix The whole management of the academy teams seem to need a shack up, too cosy and a bit of an old boys club
At least next year they should win lots of games....you'd hope. But first teamers playing in U23s should only be when they need the match practice and are working their way back to first team. Gardos and Martina, if we are realistic, are not working their way to the first team, but rather are being kept occupied.
I have to say the same is probably also true of Mouez Hassen, he could have done a lot better the other night. Hopefully Alex McCarthy will be over his record-breaking hamstring tear by next season!
Saints U21 (and rest of interested PL) will enter the Checkatrade Trophy for next 2 seasons after two thirds of League 1 and 2 voted to repeat the experiment.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-05-13/academy-focus-nathan-tella-southampton-under-18s Interview with Nathan Tella that we recently signed from Arsenal Academy.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017...tt-targett-sam-mcqueen-england-under-21-squad "Five Southampton players have been named in an initial England under-21 squad for the European Championships in Poland." James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond, Jack Stephens, Matt Targett and Sam McQueen will all meet up for their preparation camp ahead of the tournament." edit: Slattery has also been called up for the U20's IIRC