‘Ifill and Vickers making great progress’

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Youngsters praised ahead of under-21s' game against Aldershot in the National League Cup.

Charlie Hanson

2024-11-05T06:00+00:00

Caylan Vickers has five goals and two assists in seven Premier League 2 appearances so far this campaign. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Marcus Ifill and Caylan Vickers have impressed men’s under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth with their attitude and performances this season.

The pair grabbed two goals each in the 4-2 win over Southampton in Premier League 2 last Friday, while former Reading man Vickers has been nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month for October.

“They're both really contributing, not only from a numbers perspective but they're doing a lot of ‘team first’ work,” Ruth said. “They're both reaping the rewards of being absolutely committed and absolutely all in. You look at the two of them playing at the moment and there is 100 per cent commitment to what they're trying to do.

Marcus Ifill is joining League Two side Bromley. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“It’s like anything in life, if you're fully committed and you're all in without any doubt you end up probably having more positive moments than negative moments. It's normally when you're half committed or you're not fully committed fully, you end up having tougher moments.

“Those two are reaping the rewards from being good team players and they're showing their quality, so we're really pleased with where they are.”

Albion play their second group stage match of the National League Cup on Tuesday, as they take on Aldershot Town.

They began their campaign with a 2-2 draw with Woking, before picking up an extra point thanks to a penalty shootout win over the Cards.

Caylan Vickers joined Albion from Reading in January this year. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“The Woking game gave us an EFL trophy feel,” Ruth added. “These are the games that probably are the biggest test for the players.

“They’re a taste of the next step for the players, whether it be a loan or first-team football, these are the games that give us a really good gauge of where the players are.

“We get to see what bits they have got to work on and it also allows potential loan clubs an opportunity to see what the player they’re possibly looking at have to offer against opponents at their level.”