Southampton fans will love Cameron Bragg's classy tribute to the academy

Cameron Bragg's post-match interview yesterday spoke volumes about the young player who is coming through the ranks at Southampton.

After putting in a man-of-the-match performance and playing the full 120 minutes of a physical FA Cup tie, Bragg still had the maturity and wherewithal to pay tribute to the Saints Academy and the club's development system.

“It's so special to show the work that goes on all the way through [the academy] and that's not a one-off thing, that's been years and years of really, really good development and good care. And the fact that these players can come through and show what they can do on the pitch is incredible.‘

Saints finish with five academy players on the pitch

By the end of extra-time, the Saints had five academy players on the pitch against an experienced Leicester City side who were still reeling from Southampton's comeback win against them on Tuesday evening.

Bragg himself is probably the most significant player to emerge from the academy since Adam Lallana. Given the opportunity to start in his first senior match since scoring against Doncaster in the previous round, the 21-year-old showed exactly why he is held in such high regard.

Bragg, playing alongside Oriol Romeu for the first time, looked accomplished in possession. With the reassurance of the Spaniard next to him, Bragg was able to get into some positions further advanced up the pitch. This enabled him to support the attack.

As the match went into extra time, Bragg demonstrated his fitness by seeing out the full 120-minutes and having an impact right up to the final whistle.

Sufianu Sillah Dibaga and Barnaby Williams were the next two academy graduates to get a taste of first-team action, and both acquitted themselves admirably.

Barnaby Williams makes second appearance

Williams, at 19-years-old, has already made a Championship appearance. His performance against Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary's was excellent as Southampton cruised to victory in Tonda Eckert's second match as interim Head Coach.

Yesterday, Williams replaced Oriol Romeu after 61 minutes because the Spaniard was tiring. The youngster slotted in well and brought some energy to proceedings when he drove forward with the ball out of midfield shortly after coming on.

Sillah Dibaga was keen to impress, too. Replacing Samuel Edozie, the 18-year-old winger took little time to get on the ball and stretch the Leicester defence. Having scored twice for the under-21s in just eight appearances, it was no surprise when he hit the target after dribbling in from the left, forcing a save from the Leicester keeper.

With just eight minutes left of normal time, Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh and Nicholas Oyekunle came on for Kuryu Matsuki and Cyle Larin, respectively. Both were having less impact on the match, and Eckert decided to blood two more academy products.

O'Brien Whitmarsh, a product of Cork City's academy in Ireland, was the first to get involved. Cutting in from the left, he attempted a speculative shot which had plenty of power but lacked direction.

Oyekunle, on the other hand, ran hard and occupied the Leicester defence both in and out of possession.

Southampton fans will love seeing academy players thrive in the first team and hope that, unlike in previous years, they will make a lasting difference to the team's progress on the pitch.