Academy Preview - Manchester United
Posted on: Fri 21 Aug 2009
Saints' Under-18's are in action against Manchester United in their opening fixture of the F.A Premier Academy League 2009/10 campaign.
United are not in Saints' group, represent one of two long distance matches scheduled for the youth team. The game will take place at United's Carrington training ground, with a kick off of 11am.
It will be the first competitive match for many of the first year scholars at the Saints Academy as they make the step up to Under-18's level.
Like Southampton, the Red Devils have taken on a large new intake of first years that will be hoping to follow a number of players into the first team. At Old Trafford, the likes of Danny Welbeck, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson have all broken through in recent years.
Academy manager Matt Crocker and Coach Dave Puckett will take the youngsters up to Manchester hoping to improve on last season's away form after collecting just seven of their 38 point total on the road in 2008-09 under Stewart Henderson.
"Dave Puckett and I have taken things on with the youth team because Stewart Henderson has been helping out Alan Pardew with the first team," Crocker explained.
"Everything has been geared up for the first game against Manchester United away and in terms of performances, some boys have done well and earned the opportunity to play which is great and we want to encourage that.
"Overall they've worked well. James Bunce, the fitness and conditioning coach has been working closely with Dave, so fitness levels are spot on in preparation for the start of the season."
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