Powell reflects on PL2 season so far and relishes play-off challenge

Under-21s

15 Apr 2025

Following the conclusion of the league phase of the Premier League 2 Crystal Palace Under-21s’ head coach Darren Powell was positive in his reflection on the season so far and looked ahead to the play-offs.

Palace had their seven-game unbeaten run in the league snuffed out in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea in their final game of the league phase at the hands of Chelsea and ultimately secured a sixth place finish in the Premier League 2.

With that sixth place finish, they will be in the play-off stage, which is a single-elimination round of 16 bracket. The format for the league changed to a Swiss-style last season, where teams each faced 20 of the 26 sides in an initial league phase before the top 16 sides advanced to the single-elimination play-off stage to determine the overall winner.

On the game against Chelsea, Powell said: “yeah, it was tough.”

“The boys have been playing well, they actually have been playing really well, but we didn't get it right, we didn't defend properly. I've just seen some of the goals back.

Powell reflects on Premier League 2 season and looks ahead to play-offs

“We didn't attack properly either. If you don't get those elements right against a team like Chelsea, you're going to pay the price, and we did.

“In a weird way, maybe we may needed it as just a little wake-up call. Again, if you're not working to the levels that you have been, and not doing your job as good as you have been, then it's a wake-up call.

“It might be a little kick up the backside that we may need. But we need a strong reaction going into the play-off game, because it's a big game.”

Between the conclusion of the Chelsea game and the scheduling of the play-off tie, Palace U21s will have to prepare accordingly for the challenge.

“We've got a friendly against Charlton next week to keep us ticking over and giving some boys more minutes.

“That's going to be our main focus within that game and, again, we just need to iron out the mistakes that we've replicated in the game today. Hopefully we can get it right and perform how we have been performing in our previous games.”

Palace U21s’ season has seen them win 10, draw five and lose five in the league for the sixth place finish, scoring 55 goals in the process. Within those games, players from the first-team, Under-18s and returning loanees have all been involved.

Adapting the squad is a challenge, which Powell has got used to: “Yeah, at times it's a challenge, trying to keep the momentum of the team.

“We have had players going up with the first-team again, that's a bonus for us and for the individuals. But, then we have the balancing act of when the boys come back and trying to give them the information and training together.

“Listen, it's no different to any other Under-21s side. It's also good in terms of some of the 18s coming up and getting a taste of the level.

“It’s not easy getting used to the speed of the game and in training as well. So, on the flip side to that, obviously, it's positive trying to get the young ones up and giving them minutes as well.

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