Pennock: Toughest Test Yet
Tony Pennock admits the Under-21s will face their ‘toughest test’ of the season so far when coming up against West Brom in the U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16 tonight.
The Baggies have lost just one of their 12 Barclays U21 Premier League Division 2 games this season, and currently occupy third place in the league table coming into tonight’s tie and Pennock wants his side to rise to the challenge of facing category one opposition.
“It’s going to be a tough, tough game - our toughest test of the season so far,” said Pennock. “They’re a very good footballing side.
“We are one of six Category Two Academies to reach this stage and it will provide our young players with a great opportunity to play against Category One side with a very talented group of players.
“Having faced West Brom on a number of occasions during my time at Swansea City, I know what an excellent Academy set-up they have and that they play a style of football that will most certainly provide a real test to both our players and staff.
“We’re going into the tie looking to bounce back from three straight defeats in our league campaign. We were disappointed to lose to Barnsley last time out, but there were still positives for us to take from the overall performance.
“Obviously we’ve lost few of the more experienced Under-21 lads of late with the likes of Will Aimson and Matty Dixon leaving the club, as well as Calaum Jahraldo-Martin joining Ben Clappison out on loan, but the team has to deal with that.
“The players that are now going to get the chance to play for the Under-21s as a result of the recent departures have to show that they’re good enough to make the step up.”
Tony Pennock admits the Under-21s will face their ‘toughest test’ of the season so far when coming up against West Brom in the U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16 tonight.
The Baggies have lost just one of their 12 Barclays U21 Premier League Division 2 games this season, and currently occupy third place in the league table coming into tonight’s tie and Pennock wants his side to rise to the challenge of facing category one opposition.
“It’s going to be a tough, tough game - our toughest test of the season so far,” said Pennock. “They’re a very good footballing side.
“We are one of six Category Two Academies to reach this stage and it will provide our young players with a great opportunity to play against Category One side with a very talented group of players.
“Having faced West Brom on a number of occasions during my time at Swansea City, I know what an excellent Academy set-up they have and that they play a style of football that will most certainly provide a real test to both our players and staff.
“We’re going into the tie looking to bounce back from three straight defeats in our league campaign. We were disappointed to lose to Barnsley last time out, but there were still positives for us to take from the overall performance.
“Obviously we’ve lost few of the more experienced Under-21 lads of late with the likes of Will Aimson and Matty Dixon leaving the club, as well as Calaum Jahraldo-Martin joining Ben Clappison out on loan, but the team has to deal with that.
“The players that are now going to get the chance to play for the Under-21s as a result of the recent departures have to show that they’re good enough to make the step up.”
