Southampton Have Always Thrown Their Youngsters In

Le Tissier, Walcott, Oxade-Chamberlain and Shaw all in and regulars whilst they were teenagers.

Don't think its ever a question about if players are good enough as footballers-they clearly are and, you would hope, Murphy is as well. Perhaps its the mental and emotional side of things that encourages caution rather than doubting their ability and stamina or the fact someone will spend 90 minutes kicking them-you'll get that at any age anyway.

We've had a few false alarms but we've had some good 'uns as well. Bellars had the ability but he had the old head, or, rather, the cocky head on young shoulders as well.

I'd rather Murphy got some games than he was too moolly coddled because of his youth. "If you're good enough..." is an old footballing cliche but its not far out.

Hope he is on the bench for Sunday, thats a vote of confidence for him and for his peers. And, far from it being just the sort of game you wouldn't want him involved in, maybe its just the sort you would want him to take part in?

Posted By: Martin Peters, Sep 27, 09:42:50