Saints Academy Thread

I wonder what normal attendances are at early stages of this competition.

 

Didn't we have around 9,000 for our first one?

 

It's all very official with first team squad numbers. Reed's captain.

 

McCarthy

Valery Stephens Jones McQueen
Gape Reed
Sims Hesketh Johnson
Olomola

I think that's how those players fit in - not sure about Johnson?

 

Strong side

 

Taken the chance to give our back up keeper a game.

 

Be interesting to see how strong the league 1 and 2 teams are. Think some of the U23 sides may take a bit of a thumping tonight against the League 1 sides, but when they play the League 2 sides may be able to hold their own a bit more.
Would be funny for 2 academy sides to reach the final though, just to listen to all the crying from the Skates etc.

 

I didn't realize only 6 out of the starting 11 had to be U21. That's lame.

But I guess it's good for Saints, so not complaining about it.

 

Presume they won't be showing this on youtube like they do other U23 matches?

 

Yeah, but players like McQueen, Reed & Stephens (correct me if I'm wrong), dont count as U21.

 

Nope, think I saw one of the club's media twitter accounts say earlier they don't have the rights.

 

We'll probably show our home matches.

 

Just seen above post.

 

I like that we haven't injected loads of first teamers in there. I think the reason Saints agreed to join the competition was to give our youth players the opportunity for some good competitive football even if they're at a point where they have more to gain staying and learning from us rather than being loaned out. Putting lots of first teamers in for the sake of it would give us no reason to join in the first place, I think. Also, these guys are used to playing as a team together (McCarthy aside) which should come in handy.

 

Adam Blackmore: 'I've seen more players than fans at The Valley so far'

 

Went hunting. Can't find the post I saw earlier (it wasn't from the official account), but I have found one from the official account instead:

 

Everton kids 1-0 up at Bolton, get ready for the bitter Division 4 teams to start moaning, lol.

 

Less than an hour ago.

 

The place is "buzzing"... Perhaps there is an electrical fault!