Better to come from Boy Blues, says boss Carsley
CITY Under-18s were disappointed, yet encouraged, after ending the first leg of their FA Youth Cup final all square with Chelsea.
Lee Carsley’s team trailed to an Ike Ugbo strike at half-time but Phil Foden levelled the tie to set up an intriguing finish to this year’s competition.
Poynton’s Ed Francis, who captained the team from the centre of defence, was happy with the way the side responded to a slow start.
“I thought first half we were a bit poor,” he said.
“We could have been better but I think we turned it around in the second half, were comfortable on the ball and had the majority of the possession.
“We got the goal. It would have been nice to get another one but it has given us confidence going into the second leg.
“I think it was a new experience for the lads. It’s something we’re going to have to get used to for our careers. It was definitely a good experience and something we can take into the second leg.”
Former Everton midfielder Carsley explained how the talk at half-time centred around coping with the expectation of the game, and he wants a better performance next week.
“I spoke to them about some of the experiences that I’d had as a player where you wait and you wait to build up for the game and by the time the game comes you’re deflated, emotionally and physically shattered before you’ve even kicked a ball.
“The build-up has been that big for this game for them that sometimes when you get to the game it can be an anti-climax and it was almost like they took 45 minutes to think ‘Bloody hell, there’s people here, flags and whistles going and all sorts.’
“We should take a lot of confidence from the second-half performance.
“Some of them are disappointed in there because they’re a lot better than we showed.
“I’ll expect them to play a lot better at Stamford Bridge.”
City will not head to London as favourites for the cup, and Francis admitted that Chelsea’s reputation did play on the players’ minds ahead of the first leg.
But having overcome that problem, he expects an easier time of it in the second leg.
“I think it does leave something on you before the game,” he said. “You know that they’ve got the experience and been there and done it but, hopefully, we can change it this year with the result.
“Playing against them we know what they’re like and what they’re going to do.
“We can touch up our system and be more ready for it.”