Martin Hunter has urged Saints fans to get to St Mary’s tonight and support his side as they aim to win a first youth trophy for the club since 2006.

Saints welcome Blackburn for the second leg of the Under-21 Premier League Cup final hoping to collect some silverware.

The first leg at Ewood Park last Monday ended in a goalless draw, leaving Saints in pole position to claim the trophy with home advantage.

To really make that count, though, Saints are hoping for a large and vocal turnout at St Mary’s for the 7pm kick-off to help the under-21s to victory.

“It will give the players a huge lift,” said under-21s boss Hunter on the prospect of a big crowd. “It would be fabulous if we got a good crowd there.

“We know what to expect “They are resilient and they won’t change how they play. They may change the system they play because they play two or three different systems so within our preparation we have covered all eventualities, including extra-time and penalties if we need.”

Tonight’s game will be a pressure cooker atmosphere for the Saints team.

Some, like Matt Targett and Harrison Reed, are used to it due to their experiences with the first team, but for others rising through the ranks and hoping to impress Ronald Koeman it is a new feeling.

“Being able to deal with that environment, being able to deal with that pressure is what they’ll need to do if they are going to play in Southampton’s first team,” reflected Hunter, the club’s technical director.

“Especially when they train with the first team but this will be an occasion they will need to step into and deal with.”

Saints know what to expect from Blackburn and will be prepared.

“Like the first team our preparation is very similar. We are very meticulous,” admitted Hunter.

“I had been to watch them play. I watched them play Reading.

“We had three or four match reports from our scouts and we have loads of footage so we prepare like that.

“We look at them and then we focus on how we can impose ourselves on them and that won’t change.”

With Blackburn having proved a resilient, well drilled and hard to break down, an early goal could be huge for Saints and Hunter added: “Absolutely. There is an old adage that the bigger the game, getting that first goal is very important.

We will be striving for that and obviously so will they.”

Tickets for the game will be available at the ground tonight costing £3 for adults and £1 for concessions with a £5 offer for a ticket and a drink.