Smallbone praises Saints' young guns
Will Smallbone praised Southampton’s next generation of Academy talent after Saints’ young guns played a prominent part in another pre-season victory.
Saints ran out 3-2 winners over Bordeaux in the heat of Girona, near the club’s Spanish training base, following Friday night’s 7-1 success at Eastleigh.
Tyler Dibling assisted two of the goals, a first-half own goal and a second-half Sékou Mara strike, while Sam Amo-Ameyaw scored the pick of the bunch, Saints’ second of the day, with a fine solo effort.
“Everyone loves a good Academy story and I think the lads coming through are more than capable of going on to play for this club many, many times, and I hope they do,” Smallbone said, having progressed through the ranks to become a first-team regular last season.
“I think they’re showing it in pre-season and I think they’ve got a great attitude to learn. They’re obviously very, very talented players.”
Smallbone was one of ten outfield players introduced in the 62nd minute of the Bordeaux friendly, and says the game was a tough workout after some gruelling training sessions to start the week, with stifling temperatures exceeding 30°C.
“When you’re a bit fatigued and probably not at 100 per cent going into the game, it’s good to get through a game like this in the heat – this is probably as tough as we’ll feel it, but all round it’s a good day,” he continued, before previewing Saints’ Premier League return in three weeks’ time.
“I had a slightly extended break with the internationals at the end of last year, so it was a long year but very successful and enjoyable for me last year, and I’m coming back in this year hungrier than ever to prove myself and ourselves in the Premier League.
“At this point in pre-season it’s all about getting minutes in and looking towards the first game of the season. It’s all building towards that, and these two games have helped massively.
“I think every year that I’ve been here, every pre-season has been a fresh start for everyone. It’s about trying to put in good performances and to start as best I can.
“It’s a big season for myself again – every season seems to be a big season! – but I’m looking forward to the chance to hopefully play in the Premier League and prove that we belong there and can stay there.”
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