Southampton's budding teenager draws applause from manager on the weekend | OneFootball

Remember loanee O'Brien-Whitmarsh? Yes, the one hoping for a first-team promotion next season. Impressively, he has moved ahead in that dream with an Accrington masterclass.

There's a fundamental saying in sports, particularly Football, "Toughest situations give rise to the best players." And who would respect this better than a talent factory like Southampton?

By now, you must've picked up the hint, but if not, follow further.

Southampton's mismanaged yet impressive winter transfer window followed a specific strategy. What was that? Preferably, sending young prodigies to challenging loan situations to help them thrive.

Be it Amo-Ameyaw's Strasbourg move, Ballard's Cambridge transfer, or O'Brien-Whitmarsh's Accrington departure, each one followed this plan.

Fast forward to now, Southampton enjoys all their loan spell brilliance from a distance. The recent performance of loanee prodigy O'Brien-Whitmarsh is one such victory for the Saints.

Just yesterday, the 19-year-old scored a brace for Accrington against Newport County. Well, notably, that now makes it 3 goals for O'Brien-Whitmarsh in 6 appearances, who is now proving an integral asset for the League Two club.

Imagine being one of the youngest in the squad and still helping the club in all aspects, that's what O'Brien-Whitmarsh has done. Naturally, the talented youngster drew special praise from manager John Doolan for an overall show.

Doolan praises O'Brien-Whitmarsh's all round Accrington performance

As quoted by the Daily Echo, boss Doolan said: “Joe was outstanding, his second-half goal was world class, both with his left foot, you can’t ask for any more."

Southampton players shining abroad is always a positive for the club and the fans. But know what's more impressive? It's when these young talents replicate it at St. Mary's.

Interestingly, O'Brien-Whitmarsh has both the talent and hunger to achieve the same at Southampton. And his recent heroics for Accrington are the first steps towards that goal.

In O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Southampton has another rising star to look forward to in the Preseason. Hopefully, he will stand up to those expectations soon.