U18s coach wants improvement after Youth Cup win
NEIL Adams says his team must improve if they are to progress further in the FA Youth Cup – but was ultimately pleased with progression after the 6-1 triumph over Preston North End after extra-time.The holders of the trophy were held all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes, but an extraordinary spell of play that produced five goals in extra-time saw them comfortably into the Fourth Round.
Adams is hopeful they can pick up where they left off when the competition commences in January.
“I’ve told them that we have to be starting games like we finished it in extra-time today,” said Adams when speaking exclusively to canaries.co.uk after the final whistle at Deepdale.
“To sum the game up we weren’t good enough for 90 minutes tonight. Obviously in extra-time we got nearer to the standards that we demand as a Category One Premier League club, and the result in the end was very comfortable.
“If we’d have just settled down a bit and passed the ball around in the way that we know we can, then we could have got a better grip on the game. Ultimately I think our quality shone through in the end just once we’d got a little bit of composure about ourselves.”
Hosts Preston took the lead after just 12 minutes and provided stern opposition to City with their direct and physical style of play – and Adams recognised their threat.
“Full credit to Preston – they gave it a real good go and they can be proud of themselves, certainly for the first 90 minutes,” he added.
“I watched their Second Round game so we knew what we were up against – they make it a long ball game, they make it physical and they’ve got a big number 9 who causes problems.”
Carlton Morris netted twice for City, including the equaliser in normal time, and Adams was impressed the England Under-19 international forward’s overall contribution.
“I thought he was excellent tonight. He gives us that threat, and he’s played at a higher level obviously having played regularly for the Under-21s,” he said.
“I think you saw a performance from him that everyone in the stadium watching would think that he was almost a level above the rest, with no disrespect to any players on the pitch.
“It was good to get goals and there were some good goals spread around the team, but we’ve just said in there that it was a good result but we have to improve.”