AMBITIOUS Thierry Small is frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunity in his debut season at Saints but will assess his role this summer before considering a loan move, the Daily Echo understands. The talented 17-year-old wants to cement a first-team role at St Mary’s and will only consider a loan elsewhere as an option if it transpires he will not be involved, even after a pre-season under his belt. Small was given his first-team debut by Ralph Hasenhuttl in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Coventry City but the culture-shock of the occasion got the better of him, and he was substituted at half-time.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “This tested him, definitely. He was very nervous, he is very young and this was a big crowd. The club are aware of Small’s ambitions and wants. This was maybe not the perfect moment to start but I wanted to see how brave he is and what he could make (of it). He had a few good actions up front but in the defence he was a little bit shy. This is not possible in the FA Cup, you have to be there immediately. He will learn this. There is still a lot to improve but he will improve.”
Small finished his Premier League 2 season for Dave Horseman’s B team with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Sunderland, in front of supporters at St Mary’s.
