Latest from the U's Academy
Academy Fixtures against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Peterborough United, Coventry City, Northampton Town, AFC Wimbledon and Boston United across the age groups have all been demonstrated over the past weeks and that has enabled us to challenged and tested in a variety of different ways!
With all the clubs having their own philosophy in their development programmes throughout the age groups this has been great for our youngster’s to be able to participate in a series of good competitive fixtures. There has been plenty of talent on show and lots to talk about with regards to how our players found each task and how they performed in the different challenges they have faced.
It would be easy to state results of each game – but its not numbers of goals we are just looking to expand on. It’s the performances of individuals within the team together with their understanding.
Whether it was playing in a different position, playing up a year group or two, adapting to different styles, playing in a different format or continuing to practice the tasks set already, it has been rewarding to view them and watch how they approach and handle the experiences provided.
Every fixture is approached in a slightly different way with the challenges set for each individual, with different outcomes coming out but one thing for sure was you can always see the young U’s working hard with a great application and dedication to their development.
Like most weeks there is a slight change in personnel, so whether a new opportunity arises for a Shadow Squad player as a reward for their performances in training, or someone being ruled out with illness or injury, our squads never stay the same each week. Our squads differ, but in each one we have a group of talented individuals that look to express their talent together whilst working for each other.
We have been very pleased with the performances we have seen, together with the compliments provided by the opposition staff members. It’s great to see our players to provide the action, and letting the opposition doing the speaking. It demonstrates the work our coaches are supporting the players with whilst our players express their talent amongst other talented players.