Dean Whitehead on Town’s progression into the knockout stages of the Clarets Cup
- Dean Whitehead discusses Under-17s Clarets Cup performance
- Coach on the Under-18s FA Youth Cup game against Peterborough United
- Watch highlights from the FA Youth Cup game on #HTTV
Dean Whitehead was delighted that his Under-17s side are starting to get a winning mentality as they progressed into the knockout stages of the Clarets Cup.
The Young Terriers beat Salford City at PPG Canalside on Saturday 1 December 2018 2-0 taking them through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Town’s Under-17 coach explained how that progression will aid the youngsters’ confidence.
“Playing against their own age after lots of games in the U18 Youth Alliance against the older boys has helped them,” admitted Deano.
“They performed ok on the day, they weren’t at their best, but they found a way to win the game, which was nice to see.
“Whenever you’re in a tournament, you want to get through and do well.
“They’ve done that with a game to spare, credit to them. We are developing, learning and now hopefully we can distil that winning mentality into them, so they develop and win.”
Following the game on Saturday, Deano was back on the touchline but this time with Mark Hudson for the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup.
An Under-18 team was put together for the game at the John Smith’s Stadium, however, the Young Terriers were beaten 2-0.
Whitehead explained what the youngsters will learn from the defeat.
“It was a good experience for them, but I think the occasion, being at the John Smith’s Stadium, affected the majority of them, bar one or two, but that’s football sometimes.
“They will have to learn from it and learn how to deal with those occasions, it’s part and parcel of learning as a young player.”
Despite struggling to play their normal game, ‘Deano’ explained how the youngsters still stayed in the game and how the result could’ve been different.
“Peterborough settled into the game a lot, lot quicker than us, but as poor as we were on the night – not moving the ball quick enough or getting the detail of the passing right – we still created lots and lots of chances.
“As disappointing as we were, we could’ve scored three or four ourselves, but I think it was just one of those nights.
“It was a good experience for them that they take and hopefully learn from.”
You can now watch highlights from the FA Youth Cup game below on #HTTV!
