Academy Preview | Stevenage (H)

Argyle Under-18s are back in action this Friday, 9 September, as they play Stevenage at Harper’s Park (2.30pm).

It is a second-round tie in the Youth Alliance Cup, following a 3-0 win in the first round against Leyton Orient.

The game will be the Young Pilgrims’ first home fixture of the season, having played the first four on the road.

On Saturday, Argyle lost 2-1 at Exeter City in the first game in the new Professional Development League Cup, the first defeat of the season, following three consecutive wins.

Manager Darren Way is after a reaction from his young squad, as they seek to quickly bounce back after Devon Derby defeat. In preparing his team, he has called upon them to follow the example of the first team, who won 3-2 at Derby County last weekend, having fallen 2-0 behind.

“It’s a week in which we have had to self-reflect,” said Way. “It’s the first time this group have had to deal with a little bit of adversity. Now it gives us a chance to bounce back, and I have no doubt that the honesty that the players have shown this week will help us turn that round.

“I thought in the first half on Saturday we did particularly well, but in the second half we didn’t show enough character and personality to see the game through.

“If you look at the first team on Saturday, the first thing the gaffer made reference to was the character to come back from 2-0 down. You can grow from that, as a team and as individuals.

“All of our cup competitions where we have had good runs have created really good memories. The further you go in a competition, you get a bit of belief that you can win something. We like winning, and we’ll do everything we can to continue the success.”

Watch the full interview with Darren Way on Argyle TV.