U18 Preview: Reading vs Saints

THE MATCH

Reading U18 vs Southampton U18
Under-18 Premier League
Saturday 3rd November, 11am GMT
Reading Training Centre

Tomorrow's hosts were on the end wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline against Arsenal last time out, while Southampton's youngsters unfortunately suffered a similar fate at home to Leicester, losing out 1-0.

The scoreline perhaps wasn't a fair reflection of Saints' dominance, after producing numerous goalscoring opportunities, which they were unlucky not to convert - a focus for coach Paul Hardyman during the latest training week.

This will be his side's second trip to Reading, having already met the young Royals in Premier League Cup competition last month - an encounter that Saints edged 2-1.

Both Kornelius Hansen and Allan Tchaptchet were on the scoresheet that day, but now with league points at stake, and the chance for Saints to draw level with their Reading equivalents in the table, will the outcome be any different?

FLASHBACK: Reading 1-2 Southampton (Sept 2018)

COACH'S THOUGHTS

Hardyman wants to see more focus in the final third against Reading this week, and has been paying special attention to improving his young side's physicality during their two-week fixture break.

"We've had a break from competitive fixtures, so we've been working on the boys' physical attributes," he began. 

"We're coming up to the winter period, where injuries are more frequent, so we're trying to get them fitter and stronger to prevent those occurring.

"Hopefully it puts that extra burst of energy into them.

"I was disappointed with the Leicester game, because we dominated the chances created. They had two shots on target, and scored once.

"We'll continue to work on converting chances in training and on patterns of play, so they understand their own roles, but also the roles of others around them.

"We've already played Reading once, and managed to get a positive result. That day the performance was good, and I expect more of the same on Saturday."