Maswanhise: Carry Our Momentum Forward
- Leicester City’s Development Squad played out a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers Under-23s on Friday
- The visiting Foxes had to come from behind to claim a point
- Winger Tawanda Maswanhise scored the equaliser to ensure City maintained an unbeaten start
- The 18-year-old says he is feeling full of confidence after several eye-catching performances
The Foxes recorded a second successive stalemate on Friday, following on from the 2-2 scoreline away at Manchester United Under-23s in their opening Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture of 2021/22.
And it was Maswanhise’s stunning strike, which nestled into the top corner from 20 yards out, that drew the visitors level at the end of the first half in Leyland and ensured City remained unbeaten.
“It was a tough game today,” the winger told LCFC TV in his post-match interview. “The lads worked hard, pushed through to the end, but it was really tough. The opponents were quite tough today, quite physical, so all of the lads had to push.
“I think that’s one of my specialities in the game, it just changed the game, changed the mood and it got us back in it.
“I just thought, let me have a hit because all the other times I’ve took my time and tried bending it in. But this time I switched it up and just hit it. Every day in training [I practice], after the session, before the session, that’s why I’m doing it.”
The Foxes are straight back in action on Tuesday, tackling Sky Bet League 1 side Fleetwood Town in the opening group match of the Papa John’s Trophy.
The 18-year-old, who was named in a Premier League matchday squad last campaign and spent time with the first team over pre-season, says the group are aware of the size of the test that they will face when they arrive at Highbury Stadium.
He continued: “It’s a good start to the season, I need to make sure I’m impressing the coaches. I came back, did pre-season with the first team and that gave me a lot of confidence.
“Starting the season with the Under-23s, my confidence is high at the moment, so we’ve just got to keep that momentum going.
“I’m going to be looking forward to that [Fleetwood] game, the lads are going to be working hard until the end and putting on a performance.
“The boys are expecting quite a physical game, so we’ll tactically work on it in the week and get ready for it. I think it will be a good experience for the lads who haven’t played in stadiums, and we’ll just see where the game takes us on Tuesday.”