Powell: We’re looking for two wins out of two

Match previews

25 Feb 2024

Looking ahead to Crystal Palace Under-21s’ two knockout clashes next week, head coach Darren Powell outlined his thoughts and approach to each game.

They will first welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup tomorrow (Monday, 26th February (19:00 GMT)) before hosting Leicester City U21s in the Premier League Cup four days later on Friday, 1st March (19:00 GMT).

There are tickets available for both of these clashes from just £2 - click HERE for more information.

On the test against Wolves, Powell said: “It won't be easy. They're a good side, we've got good players, we've watched them a couple of times and obviously we've played them earlier in the season where we went there and we narrowly lost [3-2].

“It won't be easy, they play, from what we've seen, a similar formation to us so we've just got to make sure we compete and win duels all over the pitch.

“Obviously it's a knockout game which is exciting for everyone, we've been here before, whether that's an advantage or not, but it's a game we should be looking forward to.

“It's a game in a competition that we want to progress in and some of our players have been in the final last year, in our first entry of the competition. For us, we want to progress and as long as we apply ourselves properly, it gives us the best opportunity to progress.”

Buy tickets for Palace v Wolves U21s

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-1 SL Benfica

Facing domestic opposition in the International Cup doesn’t faze the U21s head coach, as he goes on to add: “It's what we entail on a weekly basis, facing a club from our own shores, but for me it's more about what it actually is: a knockout game.

“If you're not at it, if you're not fully motivated, if you're not physically right, then you can lose to whoever you play in a knockout situation - you can go out, so we've got to make sure we're all fully prepared and ready to go.

“You build on [the group stage performance] and you have the knowledge that we played good teams in the competition and that we've competed and done well against them.

“It's now about not switching off or thinking or psychologically thinking this is a league game, it's actually a cup game, an international cup game which we want to do well in.

“That's our focus and that's what I'll be telling the boys, that this is a good opportunity for us to hopefully progress and get to the final again.”

The side previously faced domestic opposition at the same stage last season, overcoming Liverpool away from home with a 1-0 victory before they agonisingly lost out to PSV after extra-time in the final.

Turning his attention to the round of 16 clash against Leicester four days later in the Premier League Cup, Powell said: “The results were up and down [in the PL Cup group], and I remember we did a similar thing last year in giving an opportunity to give players who hadn't had much minutes some time to play.

“It was the same kind of pattern as last season, we'll win one, we'll lose one. It was up and down. Thankfully, we had the quality to progress and in the last game [of the group stage] against Ipswich, where they had to win and all we needed was a point, we went there and won.

“It shows the mentality of the boys as well, the seriousness that we want to take the competition as well.”

“We'll give it a proper fight, give it a go and try to progress in the two games. We're looking for two wins out of two in the next week. After that, we've got a lot of games, two game weeks, which again is good for the boys to play in, to recover and respect that process.

“The game we played against Leicester U21s last Monday, we had to move a couple of players about. It was a positive for us to see some of our lads go up and train and be in the first-team squad for Everton.

Buy tickets for Palace v Leicester U21s

Premier League Cup Highlights: Ipswich Town 0-1 Crystal Palace

Indeed, Powell’s side was affected by players like Franco Umeh and Jadan Raymond featuring in the first-team side, but this is seen as a positive: “It’s an opportunity for everyone [when players move up the age groups and into the first-team].

“It has a positive knock on effect: the boys from the U21s go up to the first-team, the U18s come up to the U21s and the U16s go up to the U18s and so on, which is always good for the players.

“At this time of the year, players in the second half of the season should be stretched and challenged because ultimately, next season, that's the level they will be playing. It's good exposure for the 21s to go up and train with the first-team, especially with the new manager.

“There will be an absolute positive buzz around the first-team and our boys getting that exposure and being part of that buzz is a good thing.”

Subscribe to Palace TV+ to watch both games

Finally, playing in front of a home crowd for both fixtures is an added bonus for Powell and his side: “We always respect the fans when they come and support the players.

“We do hear them and I'll always ask if they’ve got the time to come out and support the 21s, because they are the 12th man. There's such a positive and strong effect when the supporters come out and give their time and come and watch us, it’s massive to the players as well.

“We will need them in the two games. I always really appreciate it when the supporters come out and back the 21s.”

If you can't make it to either of these games, you can watch every minute of the action LIVE on Palace TV+ - click HERE for more information.

Related News

More News