Speaking ahead of our U18s’ encounter with Spennymoor Town in the FA Youth Cup, Hayden Pickard believes his side are in good spirits.
The young Reds will take to Oakwell on Friday evening looking to secure a place in the second round of this prestigious competition.
“I can’t wait, really,” asserted Pickard. “Obviously, we’re going in round one this year, which is different to last year, but we’re excited.
“We did a bit of preparation today, and we’re all in good spirits for it.”
Last season, our youngsters were narrowly beaten by Crystal Palace at the third round stage, despite putting in an admirable performance in South Yorkshire.
Pickard is confident that there is enough quality within the squad to use the experience from that disappointment and potentially fuel a memorable cup run.
“It’s a different group but, if we show that togetherness and the spirit we had in that game, not only can we just get through the early stages, but I think we can go further on and really challenge for it,” insisted the 17-year-old.
“We’re all confident, but we can’t be complacent. We don’t know much about the side we’re playing.
“Yeah, we’re top of the league, but we’ve got to take every game as though it’s a final, really.”
For the left wing-back, it has already been a breakthrough campaign as he made his senior debut in the Papa John’s Trophy against Lincoln City.
He has since featured a further two times in the same competition, impressing in the 4-2 victory at Doncaster Rovers last month, and he feels being in the first team environment has improved his overall game.
“It was a dream come true for me,” beamed our 20/21 Academy Player of the Season. “Since I was a little boy, all I’ve wanted to do is just play football and when all my family and friends were here to watch me do it, it was a good feeling.
“I can’t think now that’s where I am; I have to keep level-headed and, when I do play for the under 18s, I want to be the standout player and make people see that I’m doing what I’m doing.
“Playing with the first team and under 21s helps a lot because it’s a lot faster and the intensity is different. When I come back down to the under 18s, I can be really calm and composed with the ball, I see pictures a lot better and it improves my overall game.”
