- Owls enter FA Youth Cup this evening
- Under-18s face Stoke at Hillsborough
- Development Squad also in action against Coventry
The Sheffield Wednesday Under-21s and Under-18s are in action today and Owls coach Neil Thompson predicts a tough test for both squads.
First up is the Development’s Squad’s league clash with Coventry at Middlewood Road (1.00pm) and later this evening, the Under-18s face Stoke City (7.00pm) in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Hillsborough.
For the academy, the FA Youth Cup carries huge importance and Thompson said:
“We will be in for a tough game against Category One Stoke. They have got talent in their squad but the FA Youth Cup is what the young lads look forward to.
“The likes of Jack Stobbs and Brad Beatson have played an integral part in the 21s but they’ve got the Youth Cup tonight and it’s important we field as strong a team as possible.
“The lads want to progress and we have got a tough tie tonight.
“We have got first years playing so it will be interesting to see them and how they react to playing at Hillsborough.
“In my experience there will be players able to cope with the occasion, some may find it difficult and some will play better than you thought they might.”
Meanwhile, Thompson is wanting to see the Under-21s build on last week’s victory over Birmingham.
He added: “The Under-21s have played some good games this season. In general they have done really well, showed a lot of energy, played some good football and the senior pros have come down and helped the young ones along.
“We played well last week at Birmingham in tricky conditions, Caolan came back and scored two goals and in general it was a good performance.”