We’re Building Ahead Of Norwich Clash, Says Barradell
- Leicester City’s Under-18s are preparing to face Norwich City on Saturday
- The young Foxes sit third in the league standings ahead of the 12:30pm kick-off
- Coach Adam Barradell previewed the U18 Premier League South fixture
- He hopes the young side can continue their early season form against the Canaries
The young Foxes have enjoyed an impressive campaign to date, sitting level on points with U18 Premier League South leaders Chelsea at the top of the table and are unbeaten in five matches having collected 19 points from nine league fixtures.
Barradell believes those results, including a four-game winning streak before their 3-3 draw with West Bromwich Albion last time out, are down to the high level of performance exhibited by the players on a consistent basis.
“It’s been a really positive start,” he told LCFC.com. “We’ve really built on some excellent performances with the way the boys have defended and attacked as a group and really shown a positive mentality to the way they have gone about their business within the games.
“Ultimately, the performance level has been very high and that’s come about with results in the league programme, but also within training on a day-to-day basis.
“The results are great but it’s the performance level we’re after, that’s the main thing really, and putting our stamp on the game and showing what we’re about in terms of how we want to play and being positive.”
The first test after the international break sees Norwich City visit LCFC Training Ground on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off) and, although the Canaries are currently bottom of the league standings, they picked up their first victory of the campaign against Birmingham City earlier this month.
“We’ve had a couple of friendly games and then trained as normal,” City’s coach continued, focusing on Leicester’s own objectives for the game.
“It’s about the group and the development of the individuals within that group and helping them improve day by day to push to their target of where they want to be.
“We’re looking forward to the league programme returning with that fixture on Saturday against Norwich. It adds that little bit of edge in training and everyone wants to play, but there’s only those 11 places. There’s a real competitiveness in the squad.
“We’re trying to earn that clean sheet and build on that performance we had against West Brom. Hopefully the result will take care of itself if we do that.”
In the FA Youth Cup, meanwhile, City will face Aston Villa away at the third round stage and Barradell also gave his reaction to the draw against the competition holders, which will be played before Saturday 11 December.
“It’s an exciting fixture and an exciting prospect,” he added. “I’m sure the game will be under the lights and everyone will get excited, but focused around that game. Obviously, with them being the holders of the FA Youth Cup, it will be a real challenge for the group.
“But it’s one that we’re really looking forward to and we’ll really relish the opportunity as staff and players to go and perform against them on the night.”
All times GMT.