Spurs under 18’s versus Southampton: (match preview)

(This photograph is from Tottenham Hotspur FC).

After suffering a 3-2 home defeat to West Ham United last Saturday in the under 18 premier league south, Matt Taylor’s Spurs under 18’s will be looking to make amends when they face Southampton tomorrow. Last Saturdays game was a close one and Spurs were unlucky to lose it however, good that they were going forward. Tomorrow’s opposition Southampton have won just one of their opening five league games and the ` Saints ’ have a poor record against us in recent seasons. Paul Hardyman’s side have also had to promote a number of their best under 18 players up to the Southampton development side due to injury problems. Southampton have already been beaten pretty comfortably by the likes of Swansea City, Fulham and Chelsea so far this season and Matt Taylor’s Spurs side will be hoping that they can inflict a defeat of their own on the ` Saints ’. Some of Paul Hardyman’s danger men include midfielder and Irish youth international Roland Idowu who has scored two league goals already this season. Furthermore, skilful forward Benni Smales-Braithwaite and pacy wide man and former Spurs schoolboy Rio Glean are other potent attackers that Southampton have on their books. Also worth a mention is talented goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and defender David Agbontohoma. Southampton like to play a passing brand of football with emphasis on the wide men. Hardyman’s side will also look to whip the ball into the danger zone on a frequent basis, just like their under 23’s did against us when we faced them last week. Some of the players who featured for our under 19’s against Olympiacos in midweek will also likely feature tomorrow, namely Luis Binks, Dermi Lusala and Tarrelle Whittaker. Hopefully midfielder Nile John will feature again tomorrow as he was our injured, and it will also be interesting to see whether or not recent signing Yago Alonso will make his competitive Spurs debut against the ` Saints ’. Alonso who was signed from Spanish side Celta Vigo over the summer is by trade a central midfielder who has drawn great praise in the Spanish press. Alonso was named on the bench for our under 18’s against Southampton last Saturday but he didn’t get on. Spurs will be hoping to beat Southampton so they can stay in touch with the likes of Fulham, Chelsea and Brighton who lead the way in the premier league south.

My predicted lineup: (4-2-3-1) Kurylowicz, Cesay, Muir, Binks (c), Lusala, Alonso, Robson, Cooper, Pedder, Whittaker, Asante.

Subs from: Lo-Tutala, Walcott, Matthew Craig, Mundle, Etete.

Injured/unavailable: Dennis Cirkin, Michael Craig, J’Neil Bennett.

Doubtful: Jeremy Kyezu, Malachi Walcott, Nile John.

Previous meeting: Spurs 3-1.

My score prediction: Spurs 3-1.

My one to watch: Speedy winger and former Spurs schoolboy Rio Glean.