Spurs under 18’s versus Preston North End: (match preview)

Whilst it’s by no means certain that Spurs’ 3rd Round FA youth cup tie will go ahead on Tuesday evening, owing to the adverse weather conditions, I’ll write my preview regardless and then update it if needs be. I phoned Stevenage this afternoon and they told me that they were unsure whether the game will go ahead, there’ll be a pitch inspection at 1 pm which will decide whether or not the game will go ahead. Focusing on the game, Scott Parker’s side will have been relishing the chance to play in the FA youth cup ever since they signed their scholarships, the most prestigious youth competition in the country, they’ll need no history lessons about the importance of this competition and what it means to the club. Being played at Stevenage’s Lamex stadium, Spurs will be hoping to replicate the successes of last seasons under 18 team, who enjoyed a good cup run before being knocked out in the semis by Chelsea. Tomorrows game will see the Lilywhites take on the Lilywhites. And one thing that Parker’s side can’t be going into this game is complacent, Preston may have an academy ranking much lower than ours, whilst the championship club will have nothing like the resources that our club possesses. But one thing they are sure to have is spirit, Preston were one of the surprise packages of last seasons campaign, managing to reach the quarter finals where they were only narrowly beaten by Stoke, they also managed to be Everton en route to the last 8.

I’m really excited for tomorrows game and I’m sure our lads are too, it’s a special opportunity and it will also provide the youngsters with a rare chance of playing in front of a crowd, who no doubt will all be behind them. I’m predicting Parker to field a very strong side, there may even be space for some of our younger development squad players, I’m confident Samuel Shashoua and some of the other youngsters are all still eligible. COYS

My predicted lineup: De Bie(c), Hinds, Lyons-Foster, Statham, Reynolds, Bowden, P.Maghoma, Richards, A.Shashoua, P.Patterson, Griffiths.

Subs from: Oluwayemi, Pochettino, Clarke, Markanday, Lloyd-Bennett.

Doubtful: Moroyin Omolabi, Jonathan Dinzeyi, Charlie Freeman, Elliot Thorpe and Matt Lock.

One to watch: Preston’s Liverpudlian forward, Darren Branigan.

My score prediction: 5-1 to Spurs.

An interesting read about a famous FA youth cup campaign that Spurs endured in the 1970’s : https://superhotspur.com/2017/11/19/the-forgotten-story-of-spurs-famous-fa-youth-cup-winning-side-of-1973-74/