Brighton & Hove Albion under-21 coach Simon Ireland says that the pre-season friendly matches will be hard encounters for his side as he wants to prepare them to potentially make the step up to the first-team.*
He feels that local Spanish side Cartagena, who Albion face tomorrow at La Manga Club, will be a real challenge for his players as he wants to see them stand up against physical sides.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “Both our games here in Spain have been against big, strong sides and we want to pair our team up against teams like this in order to give them the best preparation possible to take the next step in their careers.
“Already on this tour we have seen Bradley Barry called up and play 30 minutes for the first team, while both Jesse Starkey and Jimmy Muitt played on the Friday with the 21s, then for half hour for the first team on the Saturday.
“So what we need to do is make sure they are as ready as possible to be called upon at any time. We are growing these players and giving them all the tools they need to take that next step and although we never like to lose a game, it is more important they learn from the experience and become better players for it."
Original article
He feels that local Spanish side Cartagena, who Albion face tomorrow at La Manga Club, will be a real challenge for his players as he wants to see them stand up against physical sides.
He told seagulls.co.uk, “Both our games here in Spain have been against big, strong sides and we want to pair our team up against teams like this in order to give them the best preparation possible to take the next step in their careers.
“Already on this tour we have seen Bradley Barry called up and play 30 minutes for the first team, while both Jesse Starkey and Jimmy Muitt played on the Friday with the 21s, then for half hour for the first team on the Saturday.
“So what we need to do is make sure they are as ready as possible to be called upon at any time. We are growing these players and giving them all the tools they need to take that next step and although we never like to lose a game, it is more important they learn from the experience and become better players for it."
Original article