Encouraging Signs From Foxes Youngsters, Says Barradell
- Leicester City’s Under-18s have registered two wins from their opening four fixtures of 2021/22
- Back-to-back Premier League U18 South victories see City in eighth position in the table
- Coach Adam Barradell gave his early-season thoughts on why it has been a pleasing start
- The young Foxes turn their attention to the Premier League U18 Cup this week, tackling Newcastle
The young Foxes quickly put an opening day defeat to Crystal Palace behind them by following it up with their first victory and shutout against Brighton & Hove Albion, triumphing 1-0 at the AMEX Elite Football Performance Centre.
A second consecutive success was secured at home to Reading, which included second goals of the season for both Jack Butterfill and Kian Pennant.
Commenting on those Premier League U18 South fixtures, Barradell praised City’s application and performance levels, while the results have given the players confidence seeing their hard work rewarded, he says.
“I think the boys really did well in those two games,” he reflected to LCFC.com. “Going down to Brighton, playing them away, they are always a tough team to play and to get the clean sheet and the win was pleasing.
“It was the first win of the season for the boys in their second game. There were real positives from the defeat against Palace and to take that into the next game against Brighton and get that win was pleasing for the group.
“To follow that up with a really pleasing performance against Reading and another win was good for the momentum. Especially at this stage of the season, it’s always good to get those first few points on the board.
“We proceeded with the same tactical idea that we were looking for, the boys executed that well and the mindset and mentality of the group was pleasing.”
Leicester sit eighth in the early league standings following Saturday’s 3-1 reverse away at West Ham United, a game which Barradell is optimistic will lead to further progress and learning within the young side.
He continued: “We probably played well for 70 minutes of the game and let ourselves down with a 20-minute spell where they scored three goals before half-time. The first goal was through a mistake of our own, but unfortunately, we were unable to fully bounce back from that.
“The second half performance was better; it was pleasing that we managed to get a goal and they also competed better than they did towards the end of the first half. So again, there are some positives to come out of the performance.”
Next up at LCFC Training Ground on Saturday afternoon, Leicester host Newcastle United in the U18 Premier League Cup (1pm BST kick-off), which will provide an opportunity to get back to winning ways.
City’s coach added: “We’ll be looking to put that result right in the game in the Premier League Cup against Newcastle United on Saturday.
“It’s great to play different teams and, with Newcastle in the PL U18 North, it will provide a different challenge, a different opportunity for the boys, it’s great to see the Under-18s Premier League Cup competition back.
“We’ll want to do as well as we can in that and compete in all the various competitions that we’re in and be competitive.”