The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

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The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

Adam Barradell encouraged Leicester City's Under-18s to keep the belief after a narrow reverse to Southampton.

2024-12-06T09:45+00:00

by Matthew Temple

Published

06 Dec, 2024

The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

Adam Barradell encouraged Leicester City's Under-18s to keep the belief after a narrow reverse to Southampton.

Matthew Temple

2024-12-06T09:45+00:00

The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

Adam Barradell encouraged Leicester City's Under-18s to keep the belief after a narrow reverse to Southampton.

Matthew Temple

2024-12-06T09:45+00:00

The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

Adam Barradell encouraged Leicester City's Under-18s to keep the belief after a narrow reverse to Southampton.

Matthew Temple

2024-12-06T09:45+00:00

The Boys Have Got To Believe, Says Barradell

Adam Barradell encouraged Leicester City's Under-18s to keep the belief after a narrow reverse to Southampton.

Matthew Temple

2024-12-06T09:45+00:00

The Leicester City Under-18s lost 2-1 to Southampton on Saturday
Lorenz Hutchinson scored a consolation goal at LCFC Training Ground
Adam Barradell shared his thoughts on the game and previewed a Youth FA Cup clash

The young Foxes were beaten 2-1 last weekend by Southampton in the U18 Premier League South Division; Will Daniels scoring an unfortunate own goal before Oliver Newman doubled the Saints lead just after half-time.

Lorenz Hutchinson halved the deficit although it wasn't enough to earn a point, but Barradell was proud of an improved second half performance.

"Like previous week's in terms of the performance level, we weren't good enough in the first half," the coach stated. "But we tweaked things at half-time and we were much better and positive, both on the ball and in terms of our defensive structure.

"The second 45 performance was more like the level we wanted although the overall result was disappointing and we know we need that to pick up.

Leicester were beaten by Southampton last time out.

"The boys have got to believe. They can match anyone we face in the league and they need to believe that a bit more. Obviously that's our job as staff and is what we're looking to do.

"So that's one of the key learnings from the game, in terms of the mentality they can show, but also tactically, the players have to come up with solutions on the pitch which again we can support with but they also have to take some ownership when they come out and play.

"They've certainly showed at points this season that they can compete with anyone if they have that belief. The group is changing a lot and with change comes a bit of erratic performances and that's what we're seeing at the moment.

"But we're getting a lot of exposure to our younger players and although results-wise, it's not how we want to be going, we're going to start seeing the benefits."

Putting the defeat behind them, City's attention now turns to an FA Youth Cup fixture against Chelsea on Friday 13 December (7pm GMT kick-off) at LCFC Training Ground.

Reminiscing about reaching the quarter-final a few years back, Barradell and the coaching staff are looking forward to a big fixture against the Blues, hoping it proves to be a successful game for a developing squad.

City's youngsters face Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup next week.

"We're really excited for the game," the coach continued. "We expect to compete and the boys that are with the Under-21s will come back after their game and we'll have a full weeks' work to plan and prepare for that game.

"There will be lots of competition for spaces so we're looking forward to that week as staff and working with that group which we don't always get with players pushing on to the Development Squad.

"I go back to a few years ago when we made the quarter-final of the Youth Cup and the belief it gives everyone in terms of the Under-18s programme and boosting confidence.

"It's one we certainly look forward too but we have a big challenge ahead of us, but one we'll certainly be prepared and ready for so hopefully we can get a positive result on the night.

"The Youth Cup brings different pressures for the boys and is probably as close as a men's game as you can get at this level, not just in terms of players but the preparation that goes into it as well so there's a learning aspect to the game.

"The further you go into the competition, the better learnings you'll get for the team and individual players."

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