Barradell Sees Pleasing Signs In Under-18s Group
- Leicester City’s Under-18s drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday
- Kirsten Otchere and Yassin Toure scored for the Foxes at LCFC Training Ground
- Coach Adam Barradell assessed the team’s performance in Seagrave
- City have taken four points from their first two games in U18 Premier League
The young Foxes twice went ahead in the game at LCFC Training Ground, with Kirsten Otchere and Yassin Toure scoring, either side of Ronnie Gorman’s brace – the second of which came deep into added-time, securing a 2-2 draw for the visiting Seagulls.
“It was an excellent performance, especially in the first half,” Barradell told LCFC.com. “I thought with and without the ball the boys really carried out the gameplan and the tactical idea to a high level at the weekend.
“The second half didn’t really look like we wanted. We needed to impose ourselves more with the ball. But there’s loads of positives to take out of the performance and lots of improvement from the game against Norwich.
“We did really well to limit Brighton to no opportunities to score. Both of their goals came from a direct free-kick and a penalty, which is disappointing, but to not give up any opportunities from open play was again positive.
“To concede late on is always disappointing for the boys but we’ll learn from that. We needed a little bit of game management towards the end, but we’re a young squad with lots of first years playing and Under-16s coming on.”
Although naturally frustrated to only take a point in Seagrave, the development seen in the opening two fixtures, having also collected three points at Norwich City on matchday one, gives Barradell cause for optimism about the season ahead.
He explained: “There’s some really pleasing individual performances, but also as a group, a really positive start in the first two fixtures. We’ve come together very well as a group, both players and staff collectively.
“They’ve got a real hunger and desire to improve and develop. They are taking on the ideas and they are learning extremely well at the minute. It’s just about keeping that momentum going in terms of the learning and the performances and keep building on it.
“We know we’re going to have dips; we’re going to have highs and lows throughout the season. But as long as they are focused on their individual development and they are learning, it bodes well.”
Fulham are City’s next opponents in U18 Premier League South, with the Cottagers set to provide another good test of the squad’s credentials.
“We’ll have a look at Fulham’s game for the weekend and some ideas on how we can really impose our style on the game,” Barradell added. “That will be important for us against Fulham.
“We know it’s a good fixture. We know it’s always a good test. But we’re looking forward to the game. If we can improve in those areas that we need to work on, then hopefully we’ll have a positive performance and result.”