Reserves.

[cc_star]

Doesn't sound like a great result or performance.

Hamann out?

[Langston]

Doesn't sound like a great result or performance.

That's a given, though I doubt half the players that took part had seen daylight for the past few months, let alone game time.

[Bugg]

Doesn't sound like a great result or performance.

A win is a win.

[davieG]

OS

Several first team squad members saw significant match time on Wednesday afternoon as City's reserves recorded a 1-0 win over Southampton at Belvoir Drive.

Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and Nigerian youngster Danny Uchechi were among those to complete the 90 minutes, along with Miguel Vitor, Martyn Waghorn and Robbie Neilson as the Foxes cruised to a relatively comfortable victory.

Substitute Nathan Hicks' solitary goal on the stroke of half-time proved the difference between the sides - the young midfielder slotting home neatly after Waghorn had taken advantage of a defensive mix-up to play him clear.

With the team taken by new first team coach Didi Hamann, the Foxes created a number of early chances against a young Saints side, without dominating possession as they might have liked.

Defender Tom Parkes headed a Franck Moussa corner wide in the opening five minutes, before both Ben Milnes and Waghorn pulled shots wide from respective Bruno Berner and Uchechi crosses.

Waghorn came somewhat closer with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box seven minutes before half-time and then played a key role in the game's only goal shortly after.

Seizing on a loose ball that Saints defenders Aarran Racine and Ryan Taffazoli had both gone for, Waghorn cushioned a lovely ball into the path of the breaking Hicks, who outpaced the last defender before finishing smartly across Lloyd Anderson in the Saints goal.

CIty showed a great deal of control in the second period, monopolising possession for long periods in contrast to a somewhat frantic first half.

Vitor, on a season-long loan from Benfica, looked at ease in the back four, despite not featuring for the first team since the defeat at Ipswich back in December due to a hamstring injury.

Moussa came close to adding a second on 55 minutes when he curled just wide after another surge forward from Berner down the left and Waghorn, dropping deep to see as much of the ball as possible, tested Anderson with a couple of fine strikes from range.

Southampton's best effort came from talented wide-man Lloyd Isgrove, who managed to beat Ricardo from all of 30 yards before seeing his fine volley crash to safety off the underside of the crossbar.

It was a comfortable 90 minutes aside from that for the new Foxes keeper, who looked assured under the high ball and positive from crosses, as well as showing some of his trademark footballing skills with the ball at his feet.

"We didn't keep the ball in the first half as well as we did in the second, but it was good to get 90 minutes into some of the boys because some of them haven't played for a while," said Hamann after the game.

"As well as getting people like Vitor and Waggy some match fitness, we were able to have a look at some of the young players and I thought Danny Uchechi, Franck Moussa, Ben Milnes and Tom Parkes all did really well."

City: Ricardo, Neilson, Parkes, Vitor, Berner (Moore 64), Lamey (Hicks 31), Moreno, Milnes (Norburn 77), Uchechi; Moussa, Waghorn.

Subs not used: Ambrusics, Myles-Tebbutt.

[Bob Farley]

Would love to go down to the training ground and watch these.

[Thracian]

It would be a great gesture if the owners changed our policy and ended the closed door policy of Pearson's day.

It's great to see us using fringe players again instead of treating them like some sort of Gods who are too important to play in the reserves. I notice Dalglish has already got the same happening at Liverpool.

Given enough games it means the shadow players will be match fit should they be needed and that can make a difference. The old policy was always ridiculous with so many people coming back who were clearly not match ready - oftne to our cost.

Like many others I'd love us to be in a proper reserves league once more. It's interesting and helps keep the fringe players motivated. It's also another way of seeing that everyone is atuned to the first team's style of play.

[CosbehFox]

Would love to go down to the training ground and watch these.

I'd love to know how Howard avoids taking part in these friendlies.

Like many others I'd love us to be in a proper reserves league once more.

Villa are one currently (play Chelsea on 21st this month at Hinckley)....just 7 seven teams. Even a percentage of the Premier League don't bother with ressies.

[Stig the Lawnmower]

It would be a great gesture if the owners changed our policy and ended the closed door policy of Pearson's day.

It's great to see us using fringe players again instead of treating them like some sort of Gods who are too important to play in the reserves. I notice Dalglish has already got the same happening at Liverpool.

Given enough games it means the shadow players will be match fit should they be needed and that can make a difference. The old policy was always ridiculous with so many people coming back who were clearly not match ready - oftne to our cost.

Like many others I'd love us to be in a proper reserves league once more. It's interesting and helps keep the fringe players motivated. It's also another way of seeing that everyone is atuned to the first team's style of play.

I thought the reserve games at Hinckley were a good idea, even though not a lot attended the closeness of the crowd gave some atmosphere, must have done Hinckley some good as well, even if it was only to sell off the burgers they had left from their games.

[Stig the Lawnmower]

I used to love FNF

My first ever game was an FNF match against Grimsby in the mid-nineties. I went with my beavers group

was this the cheerleaders ?

[Kingylcfc]

our reserve team could very easily compete at league 1 level