All we are saying is give youth a chance

Instead, Saints have invested heavily in our academy over several years. The U18s and U16s have been flying again this season and last year Saints reached the prestigious final of the FA Youth Cup.

Certainly the form of the likes of Walcott and Cranie shows that Saints have some of the most talented youngsters in the country. Walcott is a standout talent and Cranie the England U19 captain, but what of those beyond them? It is rare for a generation of youngsters to all come through at once, but when they do it can have a dramatic effect on the club. Think of Man Utd, think of West Ham.

Harry Redknapp has shown that he won’t play kids for the sake of it. He will only play them if he believes that they are good enough and can cope with the knocks in the Championship, which he describes as a ‘man’s’ league. For those that are not quite there, he likes to send them out on loan to prove that they can cope with the pressure of league football. Some do well, such as Kenwyne Jones, others less well, such as Leandre Griffit.

So which players are likely to break into the first team this season and what experience do they have? On the Cross looks through the likely contenders.

Theo Walcott
Position: striker/attacking midfielder
Age: 16
First team: 2 starts, (8 as sub), 2 goals
Saints know they have a special talent on their hands and have been careful to introduce him slowly into the first team. After some exciting cameo appearances from the bench, he has responded to his first two starts with two goals. Has proved that if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Verdict: A star in the making

Martin Cranie
Position: central defence or right back
Age: 19
First team: 11 starts, (2 as sub), 0 goals
Martin Cranie had his first taste of first team action two years ago in a shock call up by Paul Sturrock. Since then he has been on the fringes of the first team, until he finally broke through this month with two consecutive starts. He may well make way for more experienced colleagues, but will play many more games for Saints this season. Highly regarded by the management, he has pace, skill and a composure beyond his years.
Verdict: Breakthrough year and a big future ahead of him

Nathan Dyer
Position: winger
Age: 17
First team: 2 starts, (1 as sub), 1 goal
Dyer and Walcott terrorised opposition defences last year in the U18s with their combination of skill and pace. Dyer has been given a taste of the first team through pre-season, the Carling Cup and one very brief substitute appearance. He still needs to develop physically and will benefit from consistent run outs in the reserves.
Verdict: One for next season

Matthew Mills
Position: central defence
Age: 19
First team: 19 starts, 3 goals
(includes 17 appearances for Coventry and Bournemouth on loan, 3 goals)
Matthew Mills lines up alongside Martin Cranie for England U19s and impressed on loan in the Championship last season. Saints strength in central defence and the emergence of Cranie have seen his opportunities limited and he may well benefit from a further spell on loan to gain more Championship experience.
Verdict: Has the ability, but will have to wait for his chance. Needs to make his breakthrough next season.

David McGoldrick
Position: striker
Age: 17
First team: 4 starts, (3 as sub), 0 goals
(includes 6 appearances for Notts County on loan)
McGoldrick enjoyed a prolific start to the year with an incredible 14 goals in 7 starts for the youth team. His form was rewarded with a substitute appearance against Mansfield and he was then sent out on loan to former club Notts County to gain first team experience. Unfortunately, it may have come too soon for him and his loan spell ended goalless and left many Notts County fans unimpressed with his performances and questioning his motivation.
Verdict: One for the future, but the hard works starts now

Dexter Blackstock
Position: striker
Age: 19
First team: 21 starts, (7 as sub), 10 goals
(includes 14 appearances for Plymouth Argyle, 4 goals)
Dexter Blackstock enjoyed an unexpected early run of games for the first team last year when Saints had an injury crisis up front. He did well scoring a hat-trick in the Carling Cup and a memorable first Premiership goal against, of all sides, Pompey, but did struggle against experienced Premiership defenders. He subsequently went out on loan and continued his good form with Plymouth. With Saints so wasteful in front of goal this season, this should have been his breakthrough year, but he has not been given many opportunities to shine and has a solitary goal to his name in the Carling Cup. With Jones and Walcott preferred to him in recent games, it may take another loan spell to catch Harry’s eye.
Verdict: Needs to take what chances come his way to continue his progress.

Leon Best
Position: striker
Age: 19
First team: 6 starts, (6 as sub), 1 goal
(includes 7 appearances for Sheff Weds and QPR on loan, 1 goal)
Formed part of a free-scoring duo with Dexter Blackstock for the youth team, even briefly continuing their partnership in the Premiership when injuries kicked in. While valuable experience, his opportunity came much too soon and he saw no further first team opportunities. Injuries have hampered his development this season, but Sheffield Wednesday are keen to take him back on loan. Needs to score regularly to get ahead of Saints other strikers.
Verdict: Needs a run of games and goals to show he can make the big time with Saints.

Yoann Folly
Age: 20
Position: central midfield
First team: 13 starts, (6 as sub), 1 goal
(includes 4 for Notts Forrest and Preston North End, 1 goal)
Yoann Folly made a dramatic rise to the first team under Paul Sturrock in 2003/4. The injury to Matthew Oakley left Saints without a natural holding player and after strong performances in the reserves, Folly enjoyed a run of games early in his Saints career. He failed to make the breakthrough the following season being substituted at half time in the first game of the season and the changes in manager reduced his chances. Despite so much promise, he has failed to make the breakthrough and may have to move back to France to further his career. He has the talent, but is it too late for the 20 year old?
Verdict: Needs first team football, may not get it at Saints