James Collins was pleased to see his under-21s side get off the mark with a point at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.
Although Josh Esen’s early opener was cancelled out 20 minutes from time, the Old Gold showed grit to secure a draw on the road and their first point of the Premier League 2 season. Head coach Collins was full of praise for his players and felt a second goal was in their sights before the leveller. Tuesday’s opposition are Port Vale in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, and Collins has stressed how much of a challenge his young team will face when they come up against first-team opposition.
On getting a point on the road
“Being one up at half-time, I thought we would do enough to go on and win the game in the second half.
“I thought we started the second half really well for 20 minutes, I thought we were the better team and probably should’ve gone two up.
“They were always going to have a spell and we didn’t get that second goal, and then they scored.
“I thought the boys dug in well because, away from home in this league, Brighton is a tough place to be at 1-1 with 15 minutes to play.
“We’re always looking for that extra bit of quality, extra bit of class in those moments, but a draw was probably about the right result.”
On showing spirit to hold onto the point
“For 20 minutes at the start of the second half, I thought we were excellent and it was the best we’ve been all season.
“We were on top, could’ve gone two up with two good chances – especially the Josh (Esen) one. He’d expect to score that five or six times out of five or six.
“After they scored, they had the better of it but the boys dug in well. They showed spirit, defended well, defended crosses better in the second half.
“We had a tough first game at Nottingham Forest who have got an average age of 21/22. Arsenal were magnificent last week and they had probably the best under-21 team I’ve seen for a year or two.
“Today was a chance for us to really get our season started. Away from home at Brighton is tough and to get a point is pleasing.”
On facing Port Vale on Tuesday
“They’re very different and it’ll be very difficult. It’s hard to explain to supporters or someone who doesn’t understand youth football that at the moment we’re playing with three or four under-18s and three 16-year-olds.
“Now we’re going to go into a game on Tuesday night against a first-team. They don’t play 11 first-teamers normally but I think they have to play five or six from the previous game, so they are unbelievably hard and physical games for us.
“You don’t a second to breathe and the physical difference between adult and under-21 is there for all to see.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t play well or can’t compete – hopefully we’ll do that with our young team.
“Either way, whatever happens, it’ll be a great experience for our lads. I saw the Liverpool team lost 5-1 at Crewe last week but when I watched some of it, some of the football Liverpool played was excellent.
“It’s a balance and we’re looking forward to the game, but it’ll be tough. We’re under no illusions it’s going to be tough for us this season in that competition, but it’s one we’re relishing.”
