A Testing Month Full Of Development, Says Barradell
- Leicester City’s Under-18s face Norwich City at The Lotus Training Centre on Friday (12:30pm kick-off)
- The young Foxes drew 1-1 at Reading last time out in U18 Premier League South
- Adam Barradell acknowledged the tough schedule the team have faced in recent weeks
- He challenged them to get back to the form they showed earlier in the campaign
Although they are without a win in March, the young Foxes travel to Norwich City on Friday afternoon, facing the Canaries at The Lotus Training Centre in a 12:30pm kick-off.
With several players away on international duty over the next week, and others training with the Under-23s squad, the next fixture will present opportunities for some of the Under-16s to step up and make their mark.
“We obviously played against Reading on Saturday and then we play Norwich on Friday,” City’s coach explained to LCFC.com. “So, we’ve got another game coming quick. It’s a game we’re looking forward to.
“We need to step up and hit the level of performance that we didn’t hit on Saturday. We’ll be involving some Under-16s in that game, so it’s great to see some of the boys that are coming through into the group next year already getting opportunities.
“It’ll be a slightly different looking squad because some boys have gone out on international duty, some boys will be training up the age groups, so it’s a great opportunity for some players who are coming into the Under-18s, so I’m excited to see that.”
Looking to return to form in U18 Premier League South, City have had a difficult schedule to contend with, playing several games in a short space of time, while also juggling commitments in the U18 Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup.
Only league leaders West Ham United have conceded fewer goals (20) than City’s 22 so far this term, however, while it’s at the other end of the pitch that they are now required to regain their edge to turn performances into results.
Barradell added: “This month has been tough; it’s been good learning and development. If any of them go through and make careers in the game, which I’m sure they will, they are going to be required to play Saturday, Tuesday, or Sunday, Thursday.
“These experiences are important for their development. I think they’ve coped with it well, it’s been a tough programme this last month. We’ll have nine games in March, but that will put them in good stead further down the line.”
All times GMT.