@SpursOfficial
Friday, 16 August 2024, 10:14|Tottenham Hotspur
Our Under-21s kick off the 2024/25 season at Chelsea tonight (Friday 16 August, 7pm UK), coached by Wayne Burnett with the same character and mentality that took us to the Premier League’s No. 2 finish last season. .
With several players from the last crusade who left permanently or on loan and others are in the preseason of our first team, our line-up seems to be very different when we take the draw this time. This is the nature of U21 football.
For Wayne, this is an exciting opportunity for players who were on the fringes of the starting lineup last season and those coming through the U18s to take their game to the next level.
“We’ve had a smart pre-season – there’s been some adjustments within the team in terms of staffing, some of our players from last season have evolved or been with the first team in pre-season, so the team looks a little bit different, but that’s smart because it gives the youth team players the opportunity to prove themselves in a competitive environment in the Under-21 years, and those who have already enjoyed it at this time to take on more responsibilities,” he says.
Wayne Burnett, U21 Coach
“We’ve talked this week about playing catch-up, focusing and being brave – those are the things we’re looking for. Last year we were lucky to have a really cohesive organisation, we had numbers that made it competitive, that’s something I think helped. to the organisation, and there was a genuine sense of unity, so we can do the same with this organisation. control in this environment.
What are Wayne’s hopes for the new season?
“Our goal, as it has been and will be, is for the players to expand and hopefully produce players for our first team,” he said. “Our daily task is to prepare them for whatever arises if the opportunity arises, to help them understand the needs and main points necessary to be able to play senior football.
“From the team’s perspective, we are going to win each and every one of the games as we did last year; It’s no different. The character and mentality of the players from last year are exceptional, that wants to continue and I think some of the players who were already part of this help to move forward and give a signal to the players who come through the demands. It’s my task and our task as a team to remind the players of the expectations when you play at the best club. like Tottenham Hotspur.
It’s going to be a busy start to the season for the Wayne team, with our Bristol Street Motors Trophy crusade starting against Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night. But first, tonight it’s a London derby at Kingsmeadow. . .
“We love betting on Chelsea,” added Wayne. We know that every time we play against them it is very competitive, they are a very intelligent team, so it is a game that we are looking for, where we can pass and impose ourselves. It will be a difficult match. Unlike a Chelsea team that is still impressive, but as long as we can try to be consistent as a group, do the things we’ve been doing in training, keep working to develop, have some continuity and be successful, I can’t. wait and see how things turn out.
Our first home game of the Premier League 2 season will be next Sunday (August 25) at the Lamex Stadium in Stevenage against Newcastle United, at 1:00 p. m. Why not enjoy a day out and watch our exciting young players as they move towards senior football?Tickets cost just £5 for adults and £2 for youth and can be obtained before each match via Stevenage’s online ticketing page or on the ground. the day.