Could Matt Patterson be ready for first team action after his goal at Farnborough.

Matt patterson might not be the name springing from everyone's lips when the Academy is mentioned, but truth is after a four month spell on the sidelines last season with an ankle injury, the striker who will be 19 in October is refreshed and ready to go.

This was shown with his goal against Farnborough in midweek, OK it was hardly against top opposition, but it was a massive boost for the youngster who feels that he might just get a chance this term.

The problem with Saints in recent years has been that although they have had two players from the youth team set up in Bale and Walcott who broke into the team at 16, other youngsters have struggled to make the breakthrough, the list of our former players who have left the Club in recent years due to limited first team chances and have been succesful elsewhere is far too large, Dexter Blackstock, Leon Best, Matthew Mills and even Martin Crainie spring to mind, however our latest crop will get their chance if only because we have got little choice

I can already hear the voices shouting that I am sticking up for Lowe again, im not, Im sticking up for our youth team players who in recent years have been overlooked, of course we need experience to bring them on, but in recent years we have seen far too much talent wasted and been blocked by sub standard so called experienced pro's, even Andrew Surman who is generally regarded as one of our better players, found his way blocked by several players, not leadt Jason Euell last term.

So lets judge the squad when we have seen it play, we all complained about the lack of passion shown by the players, Adam Lallana proved that the youngsters have that passion, you never know it might just be the Club's saving grace in the coming season.

Photo: Action Images

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