STEVE WIGLEY has laughed off suggestions from Wolves that his academy starlets could be fazed by the prospect of a bumper Molineux crowd for their FA Youth Cup semi-final tonight.
Wolves academy director Chris Evans stoked up the second leg clash after Saints took a 1-0 lead last week by insisting his club's fans could be a deciding factor tonight. But Wigley is confident as Saints attempt to reach the Under-18 FA Youth Cup final for the first time in the club's history tonight.
Evans said: "This is going to be the most important youth team game we've had in 20 years and our fantastic supporters will give us the edge.
"We need the Wolves fans behind us and we need that Molineux roar.
"Let's see how the Southampton boys do when 10-15,000 Black Country people are shouting for their club."
But Saints' head of youth Wigley has complete confidence in his players and believes they will enjoy a good atmosphere.
"We've had a chuckle about that," he said.
"They have said they expect there to be 10,000 people and we hope that will be the case.
"We are looking forward to it. We feel like we can play better than last time."
There is no shortage of players within the Saints team who have experience of big occasions.
Captain Martin Cranie is also the England under-19s skipper and has featured in matches at Anfield and Stamford Bridge for Saints in the Premiership.
Striker Leon Best played at Goodison Park in the unfortunate 1-0 defeat against Everton earlier this season.
"The boys have played reserve team football in front of big crowds and some of the lads have played in the Premier League," said Wigley.
Saints trained yesterday morning and there were no fresh injuries, with versatile defender Gareth Bale the only addition to the squad which was victorious last week.
"He gives us extra cover in certain positions," explained Wigley.
Admission at Molineux tonight will be £3 (adults) and £1 (concessions) and kick-off is at 7.30pm.
The FA Youth Cup final will also be played over two legs, next Monday, April 18 and Friday, April 22.
If victorious tonight, Saints will play their first leg at St Mary's next Monday.
The second leg of the other semi-final will be played tonight with Ipswich leading Tottenham 2-0.
Saints squad: McNeil, Richards, Rudd, Cranie, Critchell, Walcott, Sparv, James, Dyer, Best, McGoldrick, Jones, Dutton-Black, Lallana, Condesso, Wallis-Tayler, Bale.
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