Barradell: It's A Good Learning For The Lads
- The Leicester City Under-18s lost 4-1 to Leeds United in the Premier League Cup
- Kirsten Otchere opened the scoring at Thorp Arch Grange
- Adam Barradell admits the game got away from the Foxes in the second half
It been a tough few weeks for the young Foxes, who experienced back-to-back defeats, most recently losing to Leeds United in Group B of the U18 Premier League Cup, failing to capitalise on the lead Kirsten Otchere supplied them.
Disappointed to see the result turn so quickly and flip in favour of the hosts, the coach admitted that these tough lessons in football will prove beneficial in the long run.
"Ultimately, it's a disappointing result," Barradell said. "We started really well but Leeds just got a foothold in the game towards the end of the first half and got two goals pretty quickly.
"We tried to regroup at half-time but then conceded a bit of a freak goal that swung the momentum of the game and made it difficult for us after that, but there were some positives that four Under-16s got to start in the cup which was pleasing.
"It's a good learning for the young boys. We had a young team that day and it's a big learning that when you concede, you've got to make sure we're a little tighter and pull people in that are on the side of the pitch and form narrower.
"That's one thing they can definitely take from the game, but they'll learn from it, and it's a good experience playing a good team. They'll continue to get opportunities, along with other young players.
"We always want results, but it's important to push players through the pathway and give those type of chances. Yes we conceded four, but we stayed competitive for parts of that game before it got too far away from us."
Starting the 2024/25 season going four games undefeated, the coach believes that the new few weeks will see a more settled side take to the pitch, as they hope to regain that early campaign form; but insists on the process of providing opportunities to the next batch of Academy products at LCFC Training Ground.
"We've just got to make sure we don't concede as many goals as we have recently," Barradell continued. "We've conceded four in each of the last two games and that's not what we wanted, but we've also not had a consistent team.
"We're giving opportunities to younger lads but hopefully they'll be some lads coming back from injury, and a little bit more of a settled team going into November.
"We're looking forward to the Fulham fixture, they're a good challenge, but we're in a good position in terms of the start we've had and we want to build on that and be more solid at the back."