All four teams sit on three points after two games played and after losing the opening game of the group stages we bounced back with a strong 3-1 win away to Queens Park Rangers U23. If we take the first two rounds into consideration, we need to come up with a couple of strong performances if we want to progress from the group stages. We did well in the league on friday and we're gaining confident from those great performances. The team overall is playing better and the two forwards has started to score goals. Jack Darius has 4 goals in 5 games while Oakley Cannonier has 3 goals in 5 games. If they continue to perform at a high level, I'm sure we're able to give The Red Devils U23 a fight for the points. Jack Darius is only 200 SAbs away from levelling up and it will see him being promoted from the youth team. We got Simion Michez as back up striker and he'll do fine when Darius is too good for the U23 outfit.
Both ourselves and The Gunners U23 has enjoyed a perfect start to the campaign. Both teams sit on six points after two games played and another win for either team will be massive come end of the group stages. If we're able to put up a quality performance against them, we're in the best possible position before the last three games of the group stages. Kazimcan Karatas will miss the game through suspension but we got Angel Cabrera eagering for a chance in the startine line up. We don't have the depth to compete at the highest level but in single games we're able to perform well against any team. Hopefully the home advantage will tip the game in our favour.
We lost to Villa last time out in this competition and need to bounce back to ensure we don't let a big lead open up to top spot.
In Brentford we face a team whose manager leaves them to the assistant and has little input. That said they have performed as well as us with a win and a loss so this is a game we need to stay above them.
There isn't a lot to choose between us except perhaps we have a bit more depth in our squad and we will be using it to rotate and give players the game time. We also have no suspensions or injuries for this one.
We are in a tough group but all are close at the moment and while we sit third with a win and a defeat, we are still only one point off the leader who is our next opponent.
They are a stronger team than us and we have to visit them which is not the best for us but it is what it is and we have to make the best of it. We need to try for the win but equally can't afford to get badly beaten and leave ourselves 4 points and effectively two games behind with three to play.
This will be back up keeper's last game out injured as he is virtually fully recovered. It does mean that again Amissah will be on the bench as our back up keeper. We will then look at what we need to get something from the game with the players avaiable.
Up against a top manager and now with our youth side penalised on fitness due to a mix up in the league we hav had to reshuffle for this cup fixture. It will be Dani's last game after his senior call up so hopefully we can smash out the result to send him on his way. My youth side is impressing me so far this season so its good to see in these early stages of all competitions that the new look side is currently working as expected.
Aston Villa U23 vs Southampton U23
We won the big one away at Everton in the last round of games and a win here would be a big step towards qualifying for the next round. Whether or not the Saints manager will oversee this fixture we don't know but they will be missing their best tackler in defence and we should have enough to get past them. A home win against lower division opposition should be achievable which would put us on 9 points at the half way stage and would require a large cock up for us not to progress from there.
We have considered resting players for this one but we think it is key to seal progress as early as possible so go strong once again. If we can confirm we are through after the fourth game that would give us a great opportunity to rest some players so that is where we are trying to get to with our squad rotation. We don't have the largest pool to pick from anyway so any rotation is always limited but I prefer to do it when progression is confirmed.
Of course we can't assume that will be done at any point but we really feel this is one we should be winning so go in with a degree of optimism and no little confidence after our 100% winning start to the season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers U23 vs Manchester City U23
Group C is a tight one so far but we're just about on top after our win over Derby last round. We now face Man City who are bottom but have the ability in their side to do us some damage. Certainly Birch is a player we would love to have on our books.
We welcome three new signings to the matchday squad for the first time with all three coming as graduates of the youth academy at Manchester United. Up front we are long term admirers of Nishan Burkart and we hope he will be the man to spearhead our attack. James Garner is a work in progress for us but we're hoping adds some solidity to the middle of the park whilst Maxwell Elliott adds depth to our defence. All three will likely be involved in the game in some capacity.
These four team groups quickly get to the business end and we'll be halfway done after this round. It'd be very nice to get ourselves to 7 points and remain in the qualification driving seat. With two of the last three away from home that becomes all the more important.
I'm pleased with how the season has started and how the squad is shaping up. Hopefully we can keep winning and keep it a successful season
