Investment in youth is paying off for Southampton | OneFootball

In a season where they have been mostly been facing the prospect of a relegation battle, the future is suddenly looking a whole lot brighter for Southampton.

A prosperous festive period has seen the Saints rise to the dizzying heights of 12th in the Premier League table.

And, on Saturday, a second-string team full of youthful talent saw off Huddersfield 2-0 to earn Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Teenagers Will Smallbone and Jake Vokins got the crucial goals, and Hasenhuttl believes the 19-year-olds will be integral players for the Saints for some time to come.

“Will and Jake are players who are always part of our team and should be the future of the club,” the Daily Mail quoted Hasenhuttl as saying.

Republic of Ireland U19 international Smallbone, who operated on the right side of midfield, swept home a half-volley just after the break.

And left-back Vokins put the game to bed with a deflected shot from outside the area three minutes from time.

It was apt that both players marked their arrival at senior level on the same day.

“We’ve grown up together, been at the academy since we were six,” Vokins said.

“We’re still together on the big stage and we’re both very happy.”