- Leicester City’s Under-18s drew 3-3 with West Bromwich Albion in U18 Premier League on Saturday
- Coach Adam Barradell provided his assessment on proceedings at WBA Training Ground
- He believes the team could have been better at both ends of the pitch and recorded another victory
- The young Foxes are third in the standings and host Norwich City after the international break
Jack Butterfill, Chris Popov and Joe Wormleighton were all on the scoresheet during a topsy-turvy U18 Premier League South encounter which ended 3-3 at WBA Training Ground.
Despite scoring three on the road for the second time this season, City’s coach lamented the further missed opportunities that could have sealed a fifth straight league victory, indicating the high standards being set within the squad.
“West Brom played a different shape than what we prepped and planned for, which caused us a few problems early on, but the boys adapted well,” Barradell reflected to LCFC.com. “I think ultimately it was an opportunity missed really.
“Some of our attacking work and attacking threat, as well as the fluidity and movement was excellent. We created some really good chances, just unfortunately on the day we didn’t take them in front of goal.
“We missed two one-on-ones and we hit the post and on another day they probably go in with the players we’ve got. The lads were disappointed afterwards, but drawing the game and being disappointed is not a bad place to be for the group.
“We just didn’t defend as well as we have done, both individually and as a group. The times we conceded, early on in the game after starting quite well and also straight after we scored, that’s something we spoke about after the game.
“Just the concentration and the focus has to go up after you score, and unfortunately it dipped and dropped off a bit. West Brom punished us for that at vital times in the game.”
The Foxes youngsters stretched their unbeaten league run to five matches after that stalemate in the Midlands and sit third in the current standings, with only goal difference separating them from top of the table Chelsea.
Barradell continued: “It’s really pleasing. I get to work with these boys every day and we’ve got a really talented group. We’ve got a really strong mentality and work ethic within the group.
“There’s also a real desire to take on information and learn. That’s what we’re seeing at the moment with their performances in the games. It’s great to be around the top end of the table and it adds a little bit of pressure.
“It’s always good for their development to experience that, but at the moment it’s great if we can continue the form that we’re in and build on those performances in the games to come.”
A break from competitive action now provides a chance to regroup and work on key areas ahead of meeting Norwich City at LCFC Training Ground on Saturday 20 November (12:30pm GMT kick-off).
“We’re now seeing the boys getting recognised internationally and international week is always a little bit different because you have players go away," Barradell explained. "We’ve put in an extra game in the week for some of the boys to play who haven’t been playing so much.
“We’ve got a friendly game on Saturday, so another opportunity for the boys to play. For us, it’s about the constant process of development and working with individuals and also the team to continue to embed the game model and how we want to play.
“When the league programme comes back around against Norwich, we can ensure that we’re ready for that game and that we can give the best account of ourselves as possible. This is a good week to get a lot of work done individually.”