City U18 face Rotherham United U18 at the Barrett Steel Stadium in the EFL Youth Alliance on Friday (12noon KO).
Hear from head coach Sam Tillen and midfielder Denny Oliver as well as important match information in this preview.
Sam Tillen’s thoughts:
“It’ll be a significant test in terms of physicality. They like to play older players in this age group, so they’ll be a number of U19s and first team pros in the team. Alongside that physicality, they’re very good at what they do in terms of getting the ball forward quickly and with second balls and on the transition. We’re going to be asked some questions, we have to be ready for those to answer them the best we can.
“Rotherham have done well, picking up points. Their style of play has managed to earn them points and they can go ahead of us tomorrow with a win but we can also take a step away from them in terms of points too. It’s a challenge for us as they’ll be up there towards the end of the season.
“We need to make sure we can implement ourselves on the game. It’s one we’re looking forward to and hopefully we can do well tomorrow but we know it’ll be a very tough test.”
Denny Oliver talks season aims:
“I want to continue to develop with the U18s and try to be the main point in the team and helping them out, also pushing towards being on the bench more with the first team, I think that would be a big challenge to try and achieve.”
A look at the opposition:
Rotherham come into the game off the back of a tightly contested 3-2 win against Huddersfield Town, while the Imps are 6 unbeaten in the Youth Alliance.
The young Imps picked up a battling 2-2 draw away from home against Rotherham last season, coming from two goals down thanks to a brace from Gbolahan Okewoye.
The visitors come into the game fifth, just two places behind third place City.
Match information:
Sam Tillen’s side will look to extend their league unbeaten to seven games at midday on Friday against Rotherham.
Supporters are welcome to attend the game at the Barrett Steel Stadium and will also be able to keep up to date with the game with updates available from our Academy X (formerly Twitter) account.