Southampton manager Nigel Adkins made no apologies after his second-string side missed out on a place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals following a 2-0 loss at Crystal Palace.
With Saints sitting pretty at the top of the npower Championship and Adkins setting his sights on back-to-back promotions, he made a whopping 10 changes to his starting line-up. But despite impressive displays from 16-year-old debutant James Ward-Prowse and fellow midfielder Ben Reeves, 19, Adkins' side came up just short.
Instead second-half goals from Darren Ambrose and Jermaine Easter sent the Eagles into the last eight for the first time in eight years. But Adkins said: "We came with the mentality to win the game even though we made 10 changes."
He added: "Ultimately it's about winning and we haven't. But we are totally committed to the youth system at Southampton and I'm delighted with James Ward-Prowse, he looked very assured and comfortable with the ball.
"We've utilised this competition to give the youngsters an opportunity. It's a hard one as a manager, it's about having a squad and utilising it well. The players need game time.
"But I wanted to win the game and get through even though we made changes."
Palace boss Dougie Freedman is himself dreaming of a promotion bid with his in-form side currently third, but he allowed his thoughts to wander towards Saturday's draw.
"I hope it's a home draw against a big club," he said. "If we can get a home draw it will be a big advantage for us.
"We are pleased, it was a hard-fought win, we had to defend for most of the game.
"We gave a lot of respect to Southampton, who are a very good team. But we defended well and that enabled us to go on and get the goals. Over the 90 minutes we deserved to win."
Source: PA
