Play the danged kids. We need to have a pathway for our own Academy performers if we want to keep them, and it's hard to imagine a better chance to get them in the frame.
Don’t think Vokins, at 22, has a future here. Rather see Lewis Payne, only 18 but already captain of the b-team.
Obvs not seen him much myself but he is highly regarded, and was Saints’ man of the match in the U18s final against Man City last season.
I think it’s a good idea - we need to see what our young full backs have got in their locker. Rest KWP for United. We can have a real go at them.
We have United and Chelsea in quick succession so no reason to play our only first team right back. I expect it will be Valery though
Best way to give youth players first team exposure is to play two or three in a team with the rest first teamers. Not a full reserve/youth team (that’s what the EFL Cup is for). I’d keep Bazunu, ABK, Salisu to let them continue to develop together There’s also an element of playing smart…. Away to a lower league team why not play the two strikers who excelled at lower league (Adams and Armstrong). Ballard on the bench for if we get in a position to rest Adams for Man Utd Bazunu Valery ABK Salisu LB (above suggestion of Payne sounded good) JWP Romeu Edwards Elyounoussi* Adams Armstrong *could really be any of the attacking MFs
If he is leaving this window then I think it would be a nice touch to make Romeu captain or by the same token Stephens. Either way, JWP probably deserves the night off.
Is Mara a little behind the others, in terms of fitness? Maybe give him 45 minutes to help him improve.
Willy Gallery lyanco stephens Perraud Diallo s Armstrong Youth AM Youth AM Mara AArmstrong As others have said I don’t see the point in giving Theo a run out, give some academy players a go. (Besides he’s probably exhausted from his hard work in the dressing room yesterday. Sorry.)
Road to Wembley starts here Close to full strength please Ralph. Got a match vs relegation fodder at the weekend where we can play kids if necessary.
Rightly so. We talk about the being the place for youngsters to break into first team football so we need to keep our own pathway open and practice what we preach. If you cant get game time in the cup against league 1 sides when can you?
