SAINTS academy coach Louis Carey credited the B team for a match-winning performance “full of energy and intensity” in the Premier League Cup.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan completed a hat-trick after Kamari Doyle’s free-kick goal to smash Birmingham City 4-0 and make it two wins from two in the competition.

With Saints second in Premier League 2 and targeting promotion or play-offs, Premier League Cup progression could add to their chances of success this season.

Carey, Bristol City legend and Saints PDP coaching support to Dave Horseman, credited the entire team for their efforts – despite red-hot Morgan taking the headlines again.

“The performance from start to finish was full of energy and intensity, the lads have been outstanding to work with each other for one and then to bring out their individual brilliance,” he told the club website.

“It all showed up today with the quality of goals, whether it’s from set-play, pressing or building, the variety of the performance has been coming for weeks.

“The collective staff in the PDP phase we have here is outstanding and in the younger age groups, what they do for the players to give the opportunity is a very high level.

“The things that we throw at the players and the intensity, the way we tried to build and mix it up, how the boys always put that into the practice is great for everybody at the club to see.”

On Morgan, Carey added: “I know Jimmy gets the headlines and the match ball, he can finish and the range of finishes is at the level we probably haven’t seen coming through the system for many years.

“That’s a huge positive, but when you look at the goals it’s a set-play that’s worked on, him pressing or Dom Ballard making incredible runs to take away defenders, and then the quality from the boys to find the pass, effort that allows his goals to come.

“But at the end of it you need someone like Jimmy to finish, and as I said I think he’s one of the best I’ve seen in my time here.” 

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