Academy Preview | Bournemouth (H)

Argyle’s Under-18 side need very little introduction to their opponents this weekend.

On Saturday morning, at Harper’s Park, Darren Way’s Young Pilgrims take on Bournemouth, a side they have faced multiple times in recent seasons, and often in crucial games.

In the last two seasons, this one included, Bournemouth have won the Youth Alliance League by the narrowest of margins from Argyle. Last term, Argyle went on to win the Merit League and while that looks unlikely this season, Argyle are still unbeaten in the second part of the campaign. However, their seven points have come from one win and four draws.

Bournemouth have been the picture of inconstancy, winning three and losing three in the Merit League, sitting in fifth, with nine points, two places and two points above Argyle, who have played a game fewer.

“When you look at the last two seasons, it's always been us and Bournemouth that have been competing for the Youth Alliance League,” said Way.

“We always look forward to playing against Bournemouth, certainly with the style and brand of football that they play. It’s always made for an entertaining game by the way that we try and play and the way that the coaching staff set Bournemouth out to play.

“We have to make sure that our presenting strategy is good and they've got some very good talent. Having said that, I think they would find playing us a really difficult game, too. We're all looking forward to it.

“It's competitive and we know each other very well. There's a huge amount of respect between both teams, but when that whistle goes, we know that there's a group of individuals and there's a team that want to win a game of football. We're all challenged in different areas, whether that's tactically, technically, physically or psychologically to test ourselves to be able to become out on top.”

For some members of Way’s squad, the end of their two-year stint in the Under-18s is nearing its close. For those in the first year of their apprenticeship, they are close to concluding their first season in which they have been tasked with playing and travelling at such a schedule.

Way said: “I said to the players the other day that I know we're at stage where they're mentally and physically drained. The programme is absolutely relentless, but the experience, especially for our first years, and the advantage that they're going to gain for next season is going to be huge.

“What’s required now is that extra little bit of push and its making sure that in terms of their process now, they've got a psychological stamina to be able to see the season out in a in a strong way.”