Academy Preview | Oxford United (A)

The Youth Alliance League season has been successful so far for Darren Way’s Argyle Under-18s side, but on Saturday they face the only side of have beaten them in the season so far: Oxford United.

Oxford have won four, drawn two and lost four of their ten games so far, but one of their victories was against the Pilgrims in October. Oxford won 3-2 in a dramatic encounter. Argyle led 1-0, Oxford turned it around to 2-1, and although it looked like Harry Donovan’s late goal had salvaged Argyle a point, United found a winner in stoppage time.

Argyle have five games remaining in the league, and look almost certain to claim a top five place, which will qualify them for the Merit League in the second part of the season. Argyle are second behind Bournemouth, but the gap is only three points, Argyle have a game in hand, and will play the Cherries in the final game of the campaign.

For now, the focus is on the trip Oxford on Saturday, and Way is well aware of United’s strengths, especially of the back of the U's making history, beating Cardiff City on Tuesday night to reach the FA Youth Cup fifth round for the first time in the club's history. 

“They are going to be competitive games, with something to play for,” said Darren. “The first will be a competitive test, on Saturday, that’s for sure. They’ve got some very good players and have had some good involvement with their first team. They had a game against Arsenal, in which they brought on three [young players].

“They are coached well, and play a style of football which is on the front foot, very attacking. You have to defend your box well, which we didn’t in the last game against them. They were the only team to get a win against us, so we are aware of their threats.”

The game will be Argyle’s first since 16 December, which was a 3-2 win against Exeter City. Way ensured the players had some down time over Christmas and New Year, and declared himself pleased with the condition in which his squad have reported back.

“Some of the players needed a break,” Way said. “Certainly the ones living in accommodation away from home. It can be a difficult time for them over the Christmas period.

“The lads have come back really strong. I couldn’t say that in previous years. We’ve had a lot of attention of detail in the break that they’ve had so even though they’ve been away and have been able to mentally switch of they have still had to work hard, we’ve had five players involved with the first team. They look in good shape.”

Argyle progressed to the semi-finals of the Papa Johns Trophy on Tuesday night with a win over Bristol Rovers, with 18-year-old Jack Endacott playing 90 minutes at left wing-back, and Oscar Halls and Freddie Issaka appearing as second-half substitutes.

Throughout the cup run, first-team manager Steven Schumacher has used some of Argyle’s younger contingent, and all have acquitted themselves well.

Way has always preached an equilibrium for the Academy programme between winning games and developing as a player. Neither are the be-all-and-end-all, but each should be taking seriously, and he feels the current balance is being struck well, as the season enters its second half.

“It’s players keeping their consistency,” Darren said. “It’s always a difficult time of the year. Certain players are thinking about getting contracts. The first-years have been here for the first part of the season, and they’ve never really had to show that endurance to go a full season training Monday to Friday and playing on a Saturday, but I think we are in a really good place.

“We look at development and trying to win, which are two separate parts we deal with in the programme.

“The players have had a massive involvement in the Papa Johns Trophy, and the gaffer has complimented the players on that which has been really good. The first-team staff have acknowledged the role and responsibility they have had.

“In terms of development and trying to win, I think we have got that balance right.”