We Have To Take Our Chances, Says Petty
- Leicester City's Development Squad were beaten 2-1 by Southampton on Monday
- Luke Pearce scored a brace for the Saints
- Tawanda Maswanhise netted a consolation goal at LCFC Training Ground
- City's youngsters welcome Brentford on Friday night in the Premier League Cup
City returned to PL2 action on Monday evening for the visit of Southampton, having most recently seen victory over Fulham in the Premier League Cup; Logan Briggs scoring a late winner in that fixture.
A goal in either half, however, from Southampton's Luke Pearce sent the Saints on their way to three points. While frustrated to lose the game, the coach was pleased with what he saw from the Foxes.
"I am frustrated, but delighted with the performance," Petty explained. "I thought we finished like we did against Fulham. We were on the front foot and dominated the ball. We had 20 opportunities on goal, the only problem was that we only hit the target four times. We got done by a couple of sucker punch goals, but the performance was there.
"We've got to be more clinical, after creating the amount of good opportunities that we did, and not hitting the target enough. We are disappointed but I think after seeing the chances that we've missed, we'll be gutted.
"I have had a chance to watch Maswanhise's goal back, and I think the official has made an error there. It's very tough, we don't have VAR, and I appreciate the officials have a very tough job to do. It looks onside, and that's a blow, but I think the least we deserved tonight was a draw, and on another night we probably score four or five."
Among the starting line-up in Seagrave were Arjan Raikhy and Brandon Cover, who made First Team appearances in the Emirates FA Cup last weekend, as Leicester gained safe passage to the next round, beating Birmingham City 3-0 at King Power Stadium.
"It's fantastic for the Club, and being part of the coaching team makes it a proud moment," Petty continued. "I've been at the Club eight years now, and I've been lucky enough to see plenty of Academy graduates come through and it's no different this weekend when Arjan [Raikhy] and Brandon [Cover] stepped on.
Petty Frustrated With Saints Result
Ben Petty believes the Leicester City Development Squad deserved more from their efforts against Southampton as they were beaten on Monday night.
"I thought all those lads were brilliant tonight. It's very difficult when they come out of the First Team environment on a Saturday into an Under-21s game on Monday but I thought they coped with it brilliantly."
Petty talked about the boost in confidence there is in the team, after seeing a number of Academy players in the matchday squad on Filbert way, and that the pathway to the First Team is clear for all to see, and the players just need to keep working hard and taking their chances when they come.
The coach added: "The pathway is there, and the Manager (Enzo Maresca) has shown that. If the lads are playing well enough, and know the system, which they do, then he'll trust them. Some of the football tonight was a pleasure but hopefully on Friday night we score a few more.
"I was really proud of the performance tonight. I told the lads, the only thing I was disappointed about was the finishing and that's the hardest thing; to score a goal. We'll be on the training pitch all this week now to try and put that right on Friday."