AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has spoken highly of Southampton’s Academy set-up in the run up to Friday night’s Premier League meeting - a fixture that produced six goals at St Mary’s last season.
Two of those goalscorers were indeed products of Saints’ youth system; Matt Targett, who has since secured a move to newly promoted Aston Villa, as well as James Ward-Prowse, who's made over 200 professional appearances for the club.
Howe also spoke of his desire for Bournemouth to be a big player on the south coast, in terms of producing young talent, with competition coming from both Saints and Brighton and Hove Albion.
"It should be a really feisty game,” the 41-year-old asserted. “A really good atmosphere and an entertaining match. Southampton have started very well, too.
eddie howe
we've enjoyed games against southampton, which have been tough from both clubs' perspectives.
"We've enjoyed the games against Southampton which have been tight and tough, from both clubs' perspectives.
“We're looking forward to another entertaining match.
"Southampton have traditionally always produced their own players; their academy has always been so important to them, you see the amount of players they bring through.
"That's something we're trying to improve on. We definitely want to improve on them and get closer to their level.”
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