Ruth: Opportunities keeping the group sharp

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Albion take on Burnley in the Premier League Cup on Saturday.

Charlie Hanson

2024-10-12T06:00+01:00

Albion head into Saturday's game off the back of a 1-0 win over Varndeanians in the Sussex Senior Cup on Wednesday. 📷 by James Boardman.

Men’s under-21 head coach Shannon Ruth has been impressed with the way his team have maintained their fine form so far this campaign, despite regularly rotating the starting line-up.

Albion have only suffered one defeat against other academy sides so far this campaign and face their next opponents Burnley in the Premier League Cup on Saturday.

“It's safe to say that we are in a good moment and the challenge is maintaining that,” Ruth said. “The full squad is being utilised which is good as it's keeping everyone hungry, it's keeping everyone fighting for their place – and that environment within the group is something that is underpinning our good performances.

“It’s tough for everyone to keep playing the same way when the line-up can change so frequently, but with this group of players, we've got a really good togetherness.

“We've got a good leadership group within that, and they know that the better we do together, the better they'll do individually.”

That motivation within the under-21 group has ensured results have stayed positive.

“When you're working with a group of 25 to 28 players the challenge is keep everyone feeling like they have a chance and feeling like they're close, then nobody loses belief.

Our men's under-21s beat Crystal Palace 10-0 last weekend. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“It means that the output is still the same and we're getting good performances. That's how you keep everyone at a good level.

“The ones that aren't playing as much are striving to take the shirt off the ones who are playing. But what we're having at the moment is no drop-off in performance, no matter who's coming into the team.

“That's a really positive thing for us. This international break will be good for the lads that aren't playing so much to improve, to get some minutes and it gives them the chance that they’ve been working really hard for.”