About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

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About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

Our Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney believes the young group of players will become more resilient individuals prepared for the First Team environment with time and confidence.

2025-10-10T09:00+01:00

by Matthew Temple

Published

10 Oct, 2025

About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

Our Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney believes the young group of players will become more resilient individuals prepared for the First Team environment with time and confidence.

Matthew Temple

2025-10-10T09:00+01:00

About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

Our Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney believes the young group of players will become more resilient individuals prepared for the First Team environment with time and confidence.

Matthew Temple

2025-10-10T09:00+01:00

About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

Our Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney believes the young group of players will become more resilient individuals prepared for the First Team environment with time and confidence.

Matthew Temple

2025-10-10T09:00+01:00

About Giving Players Chances, Says McSweeney

Our Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney believes the young group of players will become more resilient individuals prepared for the First Team environment with time and confidence.

Matthew Temple

2025-10-10T09:00+01:00

City's Under-21s lost 2-0 to Preston North End in the Premier League Cup
Coach Leon McSweeney provided thoughts on the defeat at Victory Park
He also reflected on his satisfaction with recent performances and areas to improve

The young Foxes are without a win since late August, but have continued to impress on the pitch, most recently losing out 2-0 to Preston on Tuesday evening.

Lining up in Lancashire with an XI filled with Under-18s, the coach was delighted with the performance he saw against the Lilywhites, as the players come to grips with the different scenarios they're placed in.

Battling with the Lilywhites. Image: PNEFC/Ian Robinson.

“It was another evening where we managed to get young players onto the pitch,” McSweeney told us. “The back four was from the Under-18s and it was a good opportunity to keep testing the guys in the Academy and see if they can make the step up.

“It was a different style of play; it was quite fast and quite direct. It was so pleasing to see them cope with it last night and that’s what we do here, give them chances to step up and keep making strides forward.

“Everything we do is to progress the individual and encourage them to make decisions, and make mistakes, which they learn from and by the time they get to the First Team, they make less of them.

“We’ve got a great culture here and it’s on us as Academy staff to keep challenging them.”

We host Charlton in the competition next Friday. Image: PNEFC/Ian Robinson.

Reviewing the season so far, McSweeney is delighted with the attacking prowess in the team, scoring 15 goals in Premier League 2, but admits there is learning to do, to help with game management and turn goals into points.

“I think we’re free scoring, it’s safe to say that,” he added. “It shows the attacking part. Our bravery and creativity in the final third is progressing really well, which is a credit to the players' work rate.

“The other side of it is that we’re conceding and there are areas of development around game management and transitional play which we’ll focus on and work on during the season.

“It’s early stages so we’ve got no doubt we’re on the right track. This is Academy football so you’re going to make mistakes, it’s just about learning from it and addressing those elements we need to.”

The young Foxes have shown great form in front of goal.

Trying to recreate game scenarios in Seagrave throughout the week, McSweeney is happy for the young individuals to make their mistakes now, as they grow from each one to become more developed for senior football.

“We implement training sessions that help replicate a match environment, but of course the more matches they play, the more experience they get and the mistakes will reduce,” the coach continued.

“As I’ve said, the process is always on the outcome to build more rounded, resilient players that meet the demands of our First Team, and a big part of our job is to put an arm round their shoulder to keep them buoyant and on the right track.

“With youngsters, results do dictate confidence a lot and that’s the balancing act as staff, to keep us, as a group, focused on the positives, and I’m sure as the season progresses, we’ll see the rewards.”

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