Under-18s captain Hayden Carson has admitted there are a mixture of nerves and excitement ahead of Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup tie at Molineux.
The Old Gold host Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the prestigious youth competition and the young defender feels the team are in a good place having built up an identity since the arrival of head coach Richard Walker in the summer.
Carson says the group are treating the game the same as any other, but believes there will be a special feel to the occasion given that it is under the Molineux lights and he is taking inspiration from a historic run to the semi-final in 2021/22 where he was fortunate enough to be around the squad on that particular journey.
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On the mood going into the game
“Training’s buzzing and morale is high. Everyone’s looking forward to it.
“We’ve had a good run of training, about a week, until the game and I feel the team’s ready and I’m ready. I’m really confident and excited to play the first round at Molineux.”
On the identity of the team
“Our performances have been amazing. Since Rich has come in, he’s kind of transformed the team – he says ‘fun to play in, fun to watch and hard to play against’. I think we’ve really took that on board.
“The performances we’ve shown against teams like Man United and Man City have shown that we’re good enough to compete with them. I’m really happy with how the season has gone so far.
“In both boxes we’re massive threats and even in our build-up play we’ve improved massively. We’ve now got a proper identity in the team of how we play.
“We carry out our game plans well every week and now we’ve got the performances to show that as well.”
On the build-up to the Youth Cup
“I feel like the build-up we’re trying to do with the staff is just trying to keep it like a normal game, we’re not trying to overdo it and get the pressure high.
“It’s calm and the build-up is just treating it like a normal match, but to me I’m still quite nervous and really excited for it.”
On playing at Molineux
“I’ve never really played at Molineux before so this will be my first time. Last time in the Youth Cup it was at Kidderminster so I don’t really think it felt as special.
“This time around it’s going to feel really special and I just can’t wait to get out there and put on a good performance for everyone.
“When all of the fans are there and it’s packed, the atmosphere is amazing. It will be great to play there and see what it’s like.
“For example, even if I do break into the first-team, we get a feel for what the stadium is like to play at.
“Having the experience of playing at stadiums before, even if we get past this round and play in another teams stadium, I think it’s massive for our development.
“If we get called into a first-team game, it’s not a shock to us – we’re used to playing in a stadium and used to playing under the pressure. It’s massive for us and our development.”
On the threat of QPR
“We’ve done a bit of analysis on them. We’re not really overdoing it. I’m confident, I expect us to go there, put on a good performance and hopefully get the win which is the biggest thing for us.
“It’s tournament football. I don’t think the performance has to be amazing. Obviously we want to put the best performance on as possible, but this cup’s about getting the result and getting into the next round.”
On the run to the semi-final in 2021/22
“I wasn’t in the squad, but I was involved in the warm-ups at Old Trafford and other stadiums. I feel like I took massive inspiration from that team, the teamwork they showed, the desire they showed to win the game.
“If we can match that or even potentially do better, I’ll be really proud of the team. I feel like we have the ability in the team to do so.”
On the magnitude of the game
“This is the biggest match of some of the lads’ careers here. For a couple of the younger lads, this will be the biggest game of their lives.
“There’s a lot of pressure on it and it’s quite a nerve-wracking game. It’s just whether we crack under the pressure or keep calm and do well.”
On family, friends and supporters coming to the game
“I don’t really get many family or friends at the games, everyone’s normally busy. However, people have made a lot of time for me and all of our players friends and families are going to be there.
“That gives a different feel to it and it should be a really good experience.
“The team is very strong, we’ve got a lot of good players and I feel like even if they (supporters) come down to support, it doesn’t matter how many, I can guarantee we’ll put on a good performance. We’re a very hard working team and they won’t be disappointed.”
