Jay Robinson of Southampton during the under-21’s Premier League play-off against Crystal Palace. (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)
Jay Robinson of Southampton during the under-21’s Premier League play-off against Crystal Palace. (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)
INTERIM boss Simon Rusk is hopeful Saints under-21 can "complete the job" by beating Manchester City in the Premier League 2 play-off final.
Calum McFarlane's side face Manchester City in the final at the Joie Stadium this evening, and go into the game in red-hot form.
Saints have lost just twice since the start of 2025 - an end-of-regular-season trip to Middlesbrough, a PL Cup group fixture against Fleetwood and their semi-final against Brentford B.
They beat Leicester City, Fulham and Crystal Palace in knockout games on their way to reaching the PL2 play-off final for the first time.
Key academy duo Jay Robinson and Joachim Kayi Sanda were both involved in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Everton, with the latter receiving his senior Saints debut.
Rusk suggested Saints have given the under-21s "the best possible chance" of winning the competition by limiting squad disruption in the buildup.
"Firstly, congratulations to them for getting into this part of the season, being in such a meaningful game for them," Rusk told the Daily Echo.
Joachim Kayi Sanda made his senior Saints debut against Everton.
Joachim Kayi Sanda made his senior Saints debut against Everton. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson)
READ: 'Equipped himself well' - Saints debut can be 'big step forward' for Kayi Sanda
"It's great for their development, great for all of the staff, and hopefully they can go and complete the job.
"And number two, ultimately, at any club, the first team comes first. But in terms of pulling players up and down (in training), it's been fairly normal from that point of view.
"We certainly want to give them the best possible chance of doing as well as they can in that game."
Former City academy coach McFarlane believes his players should have no fear ahead of facing regular-season champions Manchester City.
Saints have not faced the serial PL2 winners this campaign, owing to the league's fixture schedule, which sees the 26 teams play 20 regular-season games.
"We are arguably the two best teams in the country, and we go head to head. I don't want the lads to have any fear," McFarlane said.
Calum McFarlane replaced Simon Rusk as under-21s manager earlier this year.
Calum McFarlane replaced Simon Rusk as under-21s manager earlier this year.
(Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC) READ: Saints goalkeeper calls for 'heart and togetherness' ahead of national final
"I want them to be themselves. I'm fully confident, and they are fully confident that we can go there and implement what we do.
"I thought we dominated the whole game (against Crystal Palace) except for the first 15 minutes at the start of the second half.
"These lads have shown time after time that they are resilient, they can come back from disappointment. We don't dwell on mistakes.
"The consistency of our behaviours has been our biggest strength. I'm really proud of the lads, I thought they were a credit to the club.
"If you look at our form, since the Fulham game, when we won 5-0, we have been as good as anyone in this country," McFarlane enthused.
"We haven't played City this year, they are one of the teams we didn't play during the league format, so it will be a great occasion.
"I know a lot of people there, having worked for them previously. I know how good they are, but I want us to believe we can go there and compete."