Academy Preview | Portsmouth (A)

Argyle Under-18s play their third game of the Merit League season when they travel to Portsmouth on Saturday, 11 March, at midday.

Thus far, the Young Pilgrims have drawn both of their games - against Stevenage and Cambridge United – and head to Hampshire looking to get their first victory since the second part of the season kicked off.

In the Youth Alliance, Argyle lost 2-0 at Portsmouth, and won the home fixture 3-2. Argyle finished second in the table, one place and one point ahead of Pompey.

Therefore, both teams are plenty familiar with each other, and will renew their rivalry again this weekend.

“They've got some real good threats,” said manager Darren Way. “They've got pace and power up front and we'll have to be mindful of that. We’ve got to make sure we get off to a good start because they come out at you fast.

“Our second years like Will Jenkins Davies, Oscar Halls, they've been in a programme now since playing regularly at 16, so this is their third season.

“The opposition know a lot about them; they know their strengths and sometimes they can be sort of targeted in terms of the way the oppositions set up.

“I think it has been a challenge for those individuals this season.”

Speaking in an interview which you can see in full on Argyle TV, Darren outlined one of his main objectives this season, as far what he wants to see from his young charges.

“[The important thing is] performances that relate to a first-team environment. The players have not let us down when they've had that opportunity. You look at individuals and say: ‘he's got a chance, he's growing, he's developing, his actions and behaviours are going in the right direction to then go to the next level.’

“That's what you see with all of our younger players. And it never stops. The journey continues.”