Under-18s ‘hungry’ for FA Youth Cup success

Under-18s Coach Matt Taylor says his players are eager to return to action as we begin this season’s FA Youth Cup campaign against Newport County on Tuesday afternoon.

In what is our first competitive game at Under-18 level since 19 December, we take on the EFL Youth Alliance south-west division side in a third-round tie at Hotspur Way, kick-off 1pm.

While FA Youth Cup matches would traditionally be played in first team stadia with crowds in attendance, prevailing circumstances with the pandemic mean that Tuesday’s clash will take place behind closed doors at the Training Centre.

Nevertheless, Matt still expects his players to rise to the occasion and has challenged them to replicate the levels of performance that they produced during the first half of the campaign, which saw them lose only one game and enjoy high-scoring wins against the likes of West Ham, Southampton and Crystal Palace to go second in the Under-18 Premier League southern division table.

“The squad looks hungry and we’re desperate to get out there and play some football,” said Matt. “It’s a different challenge for our players, a one-off game in a competition that obviously has huge heritage in this country. A number of players that I played with had success and their first opportunity to play in a high-profile match in the FA Youth Cup, so it’s a great opportunity for our players now to step up and perform.

“We’re under no illusions about how hard the game is going to be. We’re showing full respect to the opposition and we’re expecting a tough game.

“Ultimately, we want to try to progress to the next round. We’re at home so we’ve got to make sure we implement our playing style and show the identity that we expect from individuals and as a team representing Tottenham Hotspur.”

Follow us on Twitter @SpursOfficial on Tuesday to keep up to date with the action.