U21s Training Camp

The U21s are in the north east for a training camp. Have beaten Middlesborough u21s 3.0 (as reported elsewhere) and are going to play Sunderland and Newcastle next. What a good idea...not exactly Spain, but a chance to travel away, work in strange surroundings and games against good opposition.

 

Spain or Tyneside! No contest

 

Agreed, that is strange surroundings.

 

I suspect the area was chosen for the close proximity of decent sides....obviously nobody good around here

 

Saints u21 drew 0.0 with Sunderland this afternoon.

 

Oh I don' know, I'm told the Pompey ladies team are pretty tough?

 

Jake Flannigan Tweeted "Beat newcastle 2-0! Another clean sheet and a good end to a good trip! Managed to grab myself a goal as well "

Will Britt tweeted "3 games, 5 goals and 0 conceded! been a good preseason camp up north"

Matt Targett tweeted "Good 2-0 win! Three clean sheets! Couldn't ask for anymore".

Looks like Omar Rowe got the other goal.

 

Thats good as 4 of the best U21 from last season are with the 1st team

 

Thanks for that...had been looking for the result. Good run out for them: 2 wins and a draw against 3 good sides.

 

We got Welling away on 30th which is 5 minutes from my house so ill be watching that, Welling website says a couple of first /fringe players may play so I wonder who.

 

They always say that...won't be anyone near the first team.

 

Martin, De Ridder, Barnard, Hammond, Forte, Lee and Sharp are the likely candidates, although how many of them have trained so far this pre-season?

 

So did anyone go to the Welling game? I have to say that is a pretty decent result against a Blue Square team for the teenagers, especially as were 3-1 down with around five minutes to go! By all accounts it was the triple substitution of the older age players with youngsters that sparked the dramatic come back but down to fresh legs more than the paricular personnel. Having said that Seager is starting to attract quite a bit of attention with his goals. and Curtis (who scored our first) has the build of a player several years his senior.

Of the over age players that pre seasoned with the U21s I think Hammond, Sharp and Barnard were all missing and presumably talking to other clubs. De Ridder Lee and Forte all started. People ask why we bother with them but I think it is good hallmark of our club that we still look after players even though their first team chances may be limited. So they deserve to keep match fit and this is the best place to do that. They've all served us well and by honouring our side of the contract - helping them stay fit and finding another club - we create an image for the club that will encourage others to sign for us.

Next match up is Brighton U21 this Saturday I think.