Professional Development Phase Coach Andy Dawson is looking forward to seeing his academy side in action at Cambridge United in round two of the FA Youth Cup.
Dawson is once again looking for a positive performance and more progression for the U18s side.
The Iron came through round one thanks to a 3-0 away win at Long Eaton United - David Allasan (2, 1 penalty) and Louis Collins netting on the night, while the U’s emerged as winners against Peterborough United 2-1 at the ABAX Stadium.
Dawson spoke ahead of the game, as his side prepared for the tie.
PREVIEWING THE ENCOUNTER AGAINST CAMBRIDGE UNITED…
AD: We’re looking forward it. The lads have been nice and bright in training and we’ve spoken to them about the things they did well on Saturday and the things that they need to improve on. We’ve learnt from it, put it to bed and we’re ready to go onto the next game which is this one in the FA Youth Cup. It’s another tie away from home and I’m sure the pitch will be good so we’re expecting them to perform to the standards that they’re capable of.
ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AT A LEAGUE GROUND…
AD: It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and a great experience (to play on an EFL pitch). It’s another match under floodlights and not many of them have played under floodlights other than the game against Long Eaton United a couple of weeks ago. This will be a different experience and I’m looking forward to seeing them express themselves, enjoy the tie. We know if they perform, that’s the most pleasing thing and at this level the result is secondary, but if you perform that usually follows.
ON WHAT’S EXPECTED…
AD: They will be a decent team. We played Peterborough United (who Cambridge United beat 2-1 in round one of the FA Youth Cup) earlier on in the season, in a pre-season game and they were excellent. When you get down there, they’ll have a lot of London-based boys, so we expect them to be a strong team. It’s about us and our lads performing to carry out their duties and if we see that, we will be more than happy.
FULLY FOCUSED ON THIS GAME AND NOT ROUND THREE…
AD: They’re young players and the reality is that they have to perform in this game to get a game on Saturday. I said ahead of the last round, the next time they step out onto the training pitch might be the last time because they have to make an impression on the coaches. If you don’t, coaches will give that opportunity to someone that does make that impression. That’s the environment that we try and create and an environment that everyone pushes themselves to the max. Professional football at any level is a difficult environment and they’re young boys, so of course they’re going to talk about other things. It’s our job as coaches to remind them that they’re only as good as their last game and you’ll only ever be as good as your next training session. They know that - and that’s why, as a group and as individuals, they’re doing well.