Under-18s coach Paul Hardyman has said his side are looking to ‘keep improving’, as Southampton FC’s youngsters return to Under-18 Premier League action this Saturday, hosting Arsenal at Staplewood (kick-off 11.30am GMT).
It’s Saints’ second meeting with Arsenal this month, having travelled to London in the FA Youth Cup on 9th January.
That night Hardyman’s side matched Arsenal all the way, but ultimately came up short following a stunning solo goal courtesy of Matthew Dennis.
“The lads were disappointed, and rightly so, after the game,” said Hardyman. “So we had to pick them up, dust them down.
“I think the lads did really well on the night. As I said after the game we struggled in the attacking third, but the rest of it I was really pleased with.
“The way we played out, majority of the time our defending, the way we pressed them. It was just in the attacking third we couldn’t seem to get our shots away, so that’s something we’ll be looking to improve on Saturday when we play them again.
Paul Hardyman
We'll keep on improving the boys and making sure that development towards the first team carries on.
Southampton FC U18 Coach
“There will be a couple of changes for us and I’m sure there will be a couple of changes from them. But we’ll be going out with a team we can feel can perform for Southampton.
“We just had a normal week this week, so it’s been back to basics really and doing that well.”
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