Terry Skiverton has hinted that there could be opportunities for some of our latest crop of talented youngsters, as we aim to top our group in the early kick-off at Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow.
League One Wycombe sit in pole position with ourselves just a point behind ahead of the final match in Southern Group C, of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, to be played at Adams Park with a 12.30pm start.
“We’ve had a couple of young ones come over and train with us this week. They’ve done really well, so watch this space,” said Terry after Friday’s final training session in New Malden.
“We’re mindful that we’ve got the FA Youth Cup game at home to Stevenage next week. If the Wycombe game would have been on the Tuesday, as originally planned, we probably would have had less of the younger players.
“However, now the first team are playing tomorrow, they’ve got a bit more time to recover before the Youth Cup tie next Thursday at Plough Lane. So, there maybe one or two that travel with the squad on Saturday.”
You can listen to the full interview with Assistant Manager Terry Skiverton and a summary of the key points below.
Terry, I guess it made sense really to switch the game to Saturday because it keeps us in a routine?
It’s really good because we want to keep the momentum going. The lads are on the front foot, enjoying coming into work and you want that Saturday buzz around the group. As soon as it was mentioned to the players, they were all up for it. It would have either been a training session or a game and the lads want to get out there and play.
There’s a bit of spice about it as well, involving a battle to top the group and we're likely to be up against a familiar face to our fans - Wycombe’s recent signing Lyle Taylor!
Yes, I think that he’ll be playing some minutes. They’ll be looking to get him into some action, having had some injuries as well.
There’s a lot to play for. It’s an important competition. I’ve got to the quarter-finals previously with Charlton and last season we made the last 16, before going out at Plymouth. It is one of our priorities as it’s a chance to get to Wembley. Whoever tops the group gets a home draw in the next round I think, so it’s really important we go out there and win the game.
Of course, it could have meant Ali Al-Hamadi going back to Wycombe with us, but he’s doing rather well for Iraq in the World Cup qualifiers.
That’s right, but I’ll be going back to Wycombe! That was one of my clubs as a player. It’s a great stadium and a great club and there are great people who work behind the scenes there. I always like the sort of stories, similar to our own, where a club starts out in non-league football, and they become an established league club. We’ve done that here at Wimbledon as well. Hopefully, we get some travelling support to really get behind the boys.
How has training gone this week?
We had to make sure the fixture change was conducive, not just for this weekend but with one eye also on the league game at home to Notts County the following week.
This game has fitted in really nicely now and the lads are really looking forward to it after three magnificent performances at home in a week. We want to keep that going on the road now and then come back in good spirits and keep that momentum going.
Have you got fitness updates on two midfielders – James Ball and Harry Pell?
Bally has been back in training. Pelly is not quite there yet, but he has been out there on the grass. It’s good news concerning those two, but I think Bally will be up for selection this weekend.
Photos: Pro Sports Images.
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