Barradell: Foxes Youngsters Playing At A High Level
- Leicester City’s Under-18s defeated Nottingham Forest 4-1 in the U18 Premier League Cup
- Kian Pennant and Chris Popov provided the goals in Seagrave as City move to the top of Group A
- A blistering start put the game beyond the visitors inside 35 minutes
- Coach Adam Barradell commended another strong performance from the Foxes youngsters
Two goals apiece from top scorers Kian Pennant and Chris Popov helped to record another Seagrave success and extend City’s unbeaten run to five games across all competitions, despite Josh Powell’s late consolation for Forest.
Barradell applauded the positivity shown from the off by the Foxes youngsters to take the game to their opponents and quickly race into a commanding position during the first half at LCFC Training Ground.
“The boys were excellent,” he reflected to LCFC.com. “We started the game in such a positive fashion. I think they were so ready for the game in terms of putting our stamp on it and we scored in the first minute again.
“I think we were four goals up in the first 35 minutes so to have that positive start again, and that confidence around the group at the moment, is really exciting.
“They are so clinical in front of goal and I add Jack Butterfill into that as well. He’s on a good scoring streak at the moment and some of the goals that they have scored have come at crucial times for us in the season so far.
“They (the strikers) are getting the accolades with the goals they are scoring but actually the work in both boxes in between that has been at an exceptional level so far this season. It’s important that we look to carry that on as a team.
“It was really difficult conditions and I thought the lads coped well. It was really windy in Seagrave and unfortunately, we just lacked a little bit of concentration towards the end of the game and they managed to get the goal.”
Leicester have returned to the top of the Group A standings with six points from their three games in the pool, though they must await the result of the final group stage fixture to see if they have progressed into the last eight of the competition.
Also going well in the league programme, sitting third in the Premier League U18 South standings, level on points with Chelsea at the summit, City’s coach is pleased with the application and commitment from the players.
Barradell added: “The three cup games that we’ve played, we’ve probably performed in all of them bar one half against Southampton. Hopefully that doesn’t cost the boys. Newcastle and Southampton are yet to play, but it’s hopefully enough to get into a quarter-final.
“It will be another pressure game, but it would be perfect for their long-term development to experience that. Cup games and clashes around the top of league are certainly going to aid the boys going forward.
“I think what we have at the moment is a group that are really engaged, and we have a lot of ability, a lot of talent, but also they are willing to learn. For us as staff, it’s a real privilege to work with these players day in day out on the training pitch.”