FOOTBALL: COVENTRY City Under 18s travel to Bramall Lane this evening for the Under 18s’ National Championship final against Sheffield United.
After defeating Blades’ rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final, Jason Farndon’s team will be looking to add more silverware to City’s trophy just weeks after the senior team triumphed in the Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley.
A long period of rest has allowed Coventry Under 18s to rest ahead of tonight’s final – something which Academy manager Richard Stevens believes has benefited his team.
He told the Coventry City website: “It has been pretty normal in terms of preparation, we’ve had quite a long break since the last game which has actually helped us.
“All the boys were involved in Under-23s football so it has given us a chance to give them some rest.
“It has gave us time to really prepare for the game, but despite the added time, we have gone about our business as we usually would for any other game. We will go into it looking to do our best and see where that takes us.
“Trying to get the lads as much experience as possible is important and playing at a stadium enables that. It is what that next step is, it will be a big occasion for them and many have already played at the Ricoh for the 23s.
“It is pretty much a fresh squad, I wouldn’t even call them injuries, more so end of season niggles because quite a few of them had played a lot of football recently.
“Some were playing three games in ten days regularly, and obviously Chris Camwell made his first-team debut after only featuring for the Under-23s a few days prior.
“Over a twelve day spell it has given us the ability to manage it properly, give them a few days off accordingly and tailor the training and preparation.”
