McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

Next Match | Friday 24 April Fri 24 Apr

MIL

(H)

02 D

01 H

38 M

22 S

Interviews & Features

Heritage

Photos

McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

City’s Under-21s are aiming to get back on track following defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea, says Leon McSweeney.

2026-02-04T12:05+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

04 Feb, 2026

McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

City’s Under-21s are aiming to get back on track following defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea, says Leon McSweeney.

Sam Jones

2026-02-04T12:05+00:00

McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

City’s Under-21s are aiming to get back on track following defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea, says Leon McSweeney.

Sam Jones

2026-02-04T12:05+00:00

McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

City’s Under-21s are aiming to get back on track following defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea, says Leon McSweeney.

Sam Jones

2026-02-04T12:05+00:00

McSweeney: Keep The Standards High

City’s Under-21s are aiming to get back on track following defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea, says Leon McSweeney.

Sam Jones

2026-02-04T12:05+00:00

Our Development Squad lost out 3-2 to Sunderland at the weekend
It was a second successive Premier League 2 defeat for the young Foxes
Coach Leon McSweeney shared his thoughts on recent results
Norwich City are up next on Monday, a 7pm kick-off in Seagrave

The young Foxes were beaten 3-2 by the Black Cats on Sunday, following a narrow home reverse at the hands of Chelsea, suffering a first two Premier League 2 defeats of the New Year. We’re now eighth in the division, collecting 20 points from 13 matches to date.

“It was a disappointing day especially with the start that we made to the game, scoring early,” City’s Under-21s coach commented. “Complacency set through the team, they thought it was going to be an easy afternoon.

“Some of the defending leading up to the goals we conceded was unacceptable at this level. When you concede as cheaply as that, getting a result in any game is going to be difficult.

“We rallied second half and laid siege to their goal but when conceding three, you’re giving yourself a tough task. We couldn’t quite turn it round. We look at the result and we’re disappointed. We should still have got something from the game.”

Coming back empty handed from the weekend trip to the North East, it was a last Leicester City game for Brandon Cover, who impressed on his final outing, while 17-year-old Jake Evans headed out to gain some experience at Northampton Town in Sky Bet League 1.

The 42-year-old continued: “The success stories that we have are Brandon securing a move to Rotherham and he was excellent against Sunderland, scoring and assisting. He was head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch.

“For players who have those goals of getting out and playing first team football, that’s the way it needs to be. You need to be standing out as players for people to take a gamble on you.

“It’s just reward for all the hard work and effort he's put in. I’m thrilled to bits knowing that he got a move that his talent deserves. Jake Evans securing his first loan, we’ve got players in the First Team and players coming and stepping up to the Under-21s from the Under-18s.

“There are loads of moving parts continuously at Under-21s. We are doing really well to stay on track with performances and results, although the last two fixtures have slipped away from us on the scoreboard.”

Kirsten Otchere, meanwhile, has been in good form himself, scoring in each of the last two, with seven goals and two assists in 18 matches across all competitions so far this term.

“He’s been excellent and really stepped up,” McSweeney said, praising the forward. “He’s taken on that mantle as the striker at the top of the pitch. He sets the tone of how we press. He’s the focal point for us, he can link play, he can play in behind and he’s got an eye for goal.

“Our challenge for Kirsten is to not only maintain it, but to push beyond and how far he can go. He scored after two minutes at Sunderland and it’s how many can he get, don’t settle for one, so he becomes a real killer in front of goal which he’s got the qualities and capabilities to do.”

Moving on to facing Norwich City next Monday, we host the Canaries at LCFC Training Ground (7pm kick-off).

“We always concentrate on the performance and it’s getting that consistency of performance,” he added. “The results usually look after themselves and that’s our mantra, which has served us well to date.

“It’ll be no different going into the Norwich game next week, focusing on ourselves and keep the standards that we expect of ourselves really high. If we do that and match it with the energy that we always bring to the pitch, then we’ll get back on track, it’s just when not if.”

All times GMT.

LATEST HEADLINES

Chairman Statement: Leicester City Relegated To League One Following confirmation of Leicester City’s relegation to League One, Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has issued the following statement:

19 Hours 21 Mins Ago

Foxes Relegated To League One After Hull Draw We have been relegated to Sky Bet League One following Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Hull City at King Power Stadium.

20 Hours 11 Mins Ago

Team News: Leicester City vs. Hull City Gary Rowett has named his Leicester City side for tonight's encounter with Hull City in the Sky Bet Championship.

23 Hours 51 Mins Ago

Fan Zone Open Ahead Of Millwall Game Our Fan Zone will be open on Friday night ahead of our Sky Bet Championship fixture against Millwall at King Power Stadium.

21 Apr, 2026

LATEST PHOTOS

Leicester City 2 Hull City 2

20 Hours 21 Mins Ago

Hull Preparations In Seagrave A look at Monday's training session at LCFC Training Ground as our encounter with Hull City nears.

20 Apr, 2026

Portsmouth 1 Leicester City 0 Match imagery from our Sky Bet Championship clash with Pompey on the South Coast.

18 Apr, 2026

City's Pompey Preparations In Focus Imagery from Seagrave as the Foxes prepare for the trip to Portsmouth in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend.

16 Apr, 2026