We have to hit back after the performance we had against Fulham U23 and what better way to do it than against a strong Magpies U23 outfit. We can't rely on Aaron Maguire to save us every week and we have to perform much better. We lack depth and secondary skill in the team but the overall main skills is good and we should be able to perform well in the Challenge Cup. This is a big test for us and if we're able to give The Magpies U23 a good fight, it could give us the confident needed to progress from the group stages.
We had a very good performance when we overcame Brentford U23 5-0 at the weekend. We have to learn from the performance we had against The Bees U23 and take the positive from it when we travel down to London to face The Hoops U23. There is enough quality within the team to win the game but we know we also must get our tactics right. Youth football is very difficult with most teams of the same quality and it's up to the manager to get the team to perform. Oakley Cannonier and Jack Darius is absolute vital for us but we know we're going to lose Darius at some part of the season. Until then we need to take advantage of his qualities.
Everton U23 vs Aston Villa U23
Off the back of three wins in all competitions to start the season as we come against David's U23 champions. This is a side that dominated the division last season and a manger that we have a very poor record against - particularly away from home. So this will be a genuine measure of the position our side is in.
Indeed, these sides met 6 times last season with 3 home and 3 away for each team. We didn't manage to beat them in the league with three defeats and a draw but we did manage to win both cup games. This means at their ground we won one and lost two last season with the 4-1 defeat in the first meeting there a particular lowlight.
Once again we have the stronger side on paper but that doesn't matter a great deal - I think we were stronger last season as well. What I do think is that David tends to rotate for the cups so doesn't always play his strongest side. That is where we have to try and take advantage. They have a full squad to pick from but will they pick the best XI in terms of ratings?
We're also at full strength and will be going as strong as the squad rotation allows us to.
We had a good win to start this one off and we feel progression should be in our hands whatever happens here but getting it sealed early would be good for the squad so we're out for the win if we can. A point wouldn't be terrible though...
After the opening draw against Burnley we are into a very important fixture at home to Derby County. The Rams have a very good youth outfit and we will need to be at our best to overcome them. Having said that I faced them on eight occasions with Villa last season winning six of them and drawing two - so I do have a decent record against them as a manager. But, this Wolves team is a very different prospect to a Villa team and this is going to be a very difficult match. Derby have a good squad full of 19 raters and will go into this one as favourites - even though we are at home.
We've had some movement in our U23s this week and there are several players in line for a debut. In defence, Fin Stevens has joined from Brentford with Miracle Adewole coming in from Spurs. They are joined by the newly scouted superstar David Osifo. These three definitely add to our passing ability in the backline and should help us play out from the back better. Conversely the defensive part of our midfield is strengthened with the arrival of Edvard Tagseth from Sheffield United in a deal that also saw Frankie Maguire arrive at the club.
So five players may make their debuts this week and another three are also agreed although they won't be eligible until next week. There are also rumours of more names on the way. Fans can potentially start to get excited about the prospects of this team and the future of the club. The manager keeps urging caution - trophies are unlikely this season - but as this side starts to take shape the fans can definitely feel an optimism building - and quite rightly
Not the best team to face but the draw wasn't kind and we are in with Villa and our record while good at times is not so good in the cup. In fact I think they knocked us out of one last season but to fair our cup record is fairly shabby of late and we could do with improving in that area.
That said our league start is less than solid with a draw and defeat although we did beat Saints in the first game in this group.
We can but try and will as @Nocky suggests rotate which is mainly as I like to get all players abs to a degree if possible but also do want to try win this one.
Difficult home tie against the Hammers.
We have though brought a few new faces in to give us improvement and depth in areas. Back up keeper Hewitson is injured so he is out which means Amissah will replace him on the bench tonight.
Otherwise we have a full team and hopefully can get something from this one.
We drew first game away to West Ham so now we want to secure a win at home against Leeds, im happy with the rebuild of my youth team and have some very good future talent now to work with so its key we gel as a team to gain the most abs possible to make these lads future first teamers. Only Nuno misses out through suspension so other than him it will be a full strength side on the pitch to play Leeds
