Southampton's U21's stormed to a comprehensive victory over Reading in the Premier League 2 at The Snows Stadium on Friday evening, but the line up in this game gave a clue as to who won't be featuring in the squad to face Leeds United this afternoon.

Saints U21 squad was packed with youngsters, but a fair few of them have already made their debut for the first team and Saints supporters will be disappointed to learn that one of the Sam Amo - Ameyaw played the full 90 minutes and so is unlikely to be in Russell martin's squad to take on Leeds United in the Championship.

Two others who might have hoped to get a sniff in the first team squad were Tyler Dibling & Kamari Doyle, but Doyle too played the full game and Dibling 76 minutes.

All three were impressive, Dibling scoring 2 of the goals in the 6-0 win and Doyle himself bagging 2 and Amo-Ameyaw just the one.

The opening goal though came from Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, despite the big scoreline this wasn't scored till the 38th minute although the lead was doubled in injury time to give a 2-0 half time lead.

So who of this squad could push for a first team place, obviously Amo-Ameyaw having featured in 3 of the Championship games is one and Kamari Doyle having also played for the first team is another and both were impressive in this game.

Tyler Dibling has been on the first team bench and he could well make his debut this season, he has beefed out a bit and is now harder to shake off the ball, a good comparison would be a stronger Matthew Le Tissier, he has plenty of skill and is willing to run at players and create and score chances.

One man who also stood out was Zach Awe the central defender we signed from Arsenal, he will turn 20 in January and at this level he looked the part, big strong with pace and able to use the ball.

Centre forward Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, scorer of the winning goal, he could be one to watch, he was big strong and fast.

Yes as with all mentioned there should be the cautionary note that this level is far from even the Championship, but these players stood out as players that could make it and as Amo - Ameyaw did earlier in the season bring a breath of fresh air into the first team squad.

Sadly for those who have been clamouring for Amo-Ameyaw to get more game time, having played the full 90 minutes, he is unlikely to be on the bench this afternoon.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 12:48 - Oct 1 This is a new-ish team in a higher division and have had a mix of strange results having lost away to Liverpool, Newcastle and avery lively Fulham side, yet beat Villa's lads , might have won at WestHam , but for a late goal and now put Reading to the sword in a game that might have been into double figures. Amo-Ameyaw is a good prospect and hasn't disgraced himself when called upon for the first team but is still just 17 and has a lot to learn which won't come from occasional 30 minute sub. apps. and needs 90 mins. run outs on a regular basis. After an aborted move to Chelsea he returned and lately found his scoring touch again, but would still be second choice to Ballard IMHO. Doyle is a certain first teamer in the making but still not ahead of the current midfield lads. Like wise new boy Princewill. We can start to give them first team game time, after the dust has settled from the recent losing streak and we have a settled side for them to fit into.

0

underweststand added 14:37 - Oct 2 Correctio above. Of course It was Tyler Dibling who finally preferred Saints to Chelsea and returned after a few weeks away in London last summer.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls