Saints Youth watch

Southampton’s under 21’s side drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough early Yesterday lunch time.

Welsh winger Lloyd Isgrove scored the opener for the young Saints before the opposition hit back to level 1-1 and the game ended all square. A result that leaves the u21s with an unbeaten start to the season having already avoided defeat to Manchester City and Chelsea in the opening two fixtures.

A number of the current crop of youngsters in the Southampton youth set up will be looking to get a loan move to the Football League or a chance in Ronald Koeman’s side. Players such as Gazzaniga and Isgrove have each experienced one of those scenarios in recent seasons.

There are currently three young Saints away on loan from St.Mary’s this season. Jordan Turnbull at Swindon; Sam Gallagher at MK Dons and Jack Stephens at Middlesbrough.

Jordan Turnbull was on the winning side this week as Swindon edged out Southend 1-0. The central defender has been very impressive for Swindon and a solid defender that has seen Swindon start the season with an unbeaten record.

Sam Gallagher on the other hand was not as lucky as his MK Dons side drew 0-0 with Reading. A game in which he came off of the bench as a substitute. He will be hoping to get a starting berth and net his first goal for the club in the Capital One Cup game versus Cardiff tonight.

Jack Stephens has not been as well utilized as Gallagher and Turnbull so far this season. The defender is yet to make an appearance for Middlesbrough in the Championship but will be hoping to get some minutes under his belt as they face Burton Albion away from home in the Capital One Cup tonight.

Southampton also had three players called up to join the England under 21 squad next week for the International break. James Ward-Prowse, Jack Stephens and Matt Targett have all been called up to represent their Country as they face games versus USA and Norway. Ward-Prowse and Targett have both been heavily involved with the first team at Southampton and deserve their chance with the side again. As both have previously been called up. However, Stephens hasn’t featured for the under 21s before. Although he has six caps for the under 20s side and has clearly caught the eye as a potential centre back for the under 21s side.