Beaglehole Praises 'Winning Environment'

Tom Hopper, Ryan Watson (2) and Michael Cain were all on the score sheet in the comprehensive win, and while the result was of the utmost importance to manager, it was the swagger with which his side won that impressed most of all. 

“We controlled the game completely,” Beaglehole told . “I don’t think Adam Smith had a save to make. It was a very dominant display, and played mainly in Arsenal’s half. 

“We played some lovely possession football at times with a great tempo and real maturity in our play. The players have come so far during the season – we can see that from the way we dominated Arsenal from start to finish, and I’d have to say it was our best team performance of the season. 

“It was great to see Ryan Watson get a couple of goals from midfield – he and Harry Panayiotou were particularly good, but they’ve all chipped in throughout the season, and that goes for the team behind the team too. 

“The lads are lucky to have so many good people behind them. For instance we’ve got Nicky Eaden, who is a very good coach, as well as our sports science lads and many others working hard for them. In many ways it’s similar to the first team in how it’s run. 

“Nigel Pearson deserves credit for that – he’s made it like having another team within the Club. We’ve run it as a team and he’s let us get on with it and how we try to mirror what they’ve done in terms of training and the tempo. It’s been a great learning curve for all of us, but the players have certainly responded.” 

A hallmark of City’s Under-21s this season has been in their approach to matches – often with a competitive edge that has clearly been cultivated on the training pitch and that is now reaping its rewards in terms of league performance. 

Beaglehole added: “Yes they’re talented players, but to get that consistency, you’ve got to work at it day in, day out. We’ve said to the players, it’s about creating good habits, and what we’ve managed to do with that is create a winning environment in training. 

“Even if we play a small sided game, we make it competitive. If they’re not at it, we’ll stop and come back later. 

“It’s great to play well, but it’s about winning and we need to do that. It is hard to do, but the staff around me have been great a helping us do that, and on top of that it’s great to work for a manager (Nigel Pearson) that wants you to do that too. 

“If somebody told me they weren’t bothered about us winning matches, then it wouldn’t be for me. I want to be competitive, and I’m pleased we’ve got that environment here at Leicester City Football Club, because life is about winners, not losers.”