As Saints embark on this week's Checkatrade Trophy action, Under-23s coach Radhi Jaïdi has been paying special attention to the finer details of their preparation, in a bid to compete with Colchester's senior side this evening.
Saints will be putting their unbeaten run on the line against the League Two outfit, having earned another point on the road at Fulham last weekend, and Jaïdi is confident of a mature showing from his Under-23s tonight.
Saints, involved for the third successive season, are among 16 Academy setups to join the competition, with Arsenal the latest addition.
"The amount of application and hard work this season is very pleasing," Jaïdi explained.
"They're showing maturity in terms of game management and understanding the needs of any given fixture.
"These players know what is required. The intensity and the tempo matters, and the boys that have stepped up from Under-18s football will learn that quickly.
"We've improved since last season, we know the smaller details is what makes the difference. Hopefully we've learnt from last year's mistakes.
"We enter this competition for experiences, and we've got the confidence to go as far as possible.
"It is going to be tough. Playing senior opposition in their field of play, it'll be physical and we need to compete. Decision making especially has to be quick.
"Everything will be a high level, I hope we can firstly cope with that, and then impose ourselves.
"From a development point of view, the players really enjoy this competition."
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