Good To Get Off The Mark, Says Braybrooke

- Leicester City’s Development Squad began their Premier League 2 season on Monday
- The Foxes drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s at LCFC Training Ground
- City twice led but had to settle for a point against the Lilywhites in Seagrave
- Midfielder Sammy Braybrooke reflected on the enthralling encounter with LCFC TV

An entertaining Premier League 2 Division 1 contest at LCFC Training Ground saw the hosts twice take the lead only for Spurs to hit back each time, leaving both sides with a point apiece on from their opening match of the season.

Speaking shortly after coming off the pitch, the youngster, who played the full game on a warm Monday evening in Seagrave, told LCFC TV that the team are happy with their overall performance, although a little disappointed not to claim victory after putting themselves in a strong position.

“It’s always nice to have the first game of the season,” he reflected. “Obviously, a point to get off the mark, we would have liked three to be honest, but I thought we played well, showed our quality and hopefully we can build on that next week.

“We had a lot of games (in pre-season), some weeks we had two or three games so having those in quick succession definitely makes you fitter with a short recovery time. It all helps, to get 90 minutes, it’s what you need really.

“Another 90 minutes in the bank tonight, and probably at a higher intensity than pre-season with it being in the season, is definitely a good thing.”

The England youth international had a hand in the first goal, with his cross met by Tawanda Maswanhise, who was able to force Spurs defender Charlie Sayers into an own goal, before the forward added a strike of his own early in the second half.

For Braybrooke, it was the execution of a pre-worked plan from the training pitch, and the start of an aim to contribute to more goals throughout the coming season, following on from four assists and one goal in 23 league appearances last term.

The 18-year-old explained: “It’s something we spoke about and worked on in the week, putting it on the ‘keeper, putting the ball in the box and letting people attack it. When it came back out, I just thought I’d put it back in and see what happened and luckily, we scored.

“Of course, everyone sets targets before the season starts, whether it be goals or assists, and I think assists are probably the main thing for me, but also something in my game which I want to add is definitely goals, which hopefully, during the season, you’ll see.

“Having a year of U23s football under my belt, I definitely feel more confident, more experienced at this level this season and then hopefully I can help others come into this team but also build on my own game.”

Manchester City are up next for the Foxes youngsters, tackling the reigning PL2 champions at Academy Stadium in a 2pm BST kick-off on Sunday. But it’s a game they will enter with confidence and no fear.

“No game is easy in this league, we know that,” the midfielder admitted. “Obviously, Man City are maybe the toughest test but we’ll go there with good spirits and hopefully come away with something.”