AFC Bournemouth
It took a late winner, but Carl Fletcher was pleased to see his side earn a hard-fought Premier League Cup win over category one side Norwich City.
With a squad ranging from three under-18 players to the first-team experience of Benik Afobe and Callum Wilson, the Cherries took the lead three times through Afobe, holding on to their advantage the final time to win the game 3-2 at Vitality Stadium.
Fletcher told afcbTV after the game the usefulness of such competitive action for his squad.
"We knew we were going to be in for a tough game and it's great for our guys," he explained. "We had three under-18s out there and even for some of the under-21s it's the first time they've played out there on the first-team pitch.
"It's a great experience for them to pit their wits against some of the best players at their own age in the country.
"There are things that we definitely need to do better but it's a great learning experience and I think that's why it's so important that we got through the qualifying round when we played Wigan so we can have these kind of games.
"They will learn so much from these kind of situations, coming in and playing in front of this many people against good opposition."
"We can definitely play a lot better but I'm pleased for them that they saw it through at the end."
Development Squad
PL Cup highlights: AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Norwich City
With ten players out on loan from the under-21 and under-18 age ranges, Fletcher says competitive football, either with the Cherries or away from the club, is key to the development of the young players.
"We've got a lot this year out on loan, which is great, and everyone is getting good competitive games," he said.
"If they keep improving then that's the main thing - if they keep making the same mistakes then that's when you start to have a bit of an issue.
"Next we have Bury and that's on the big pitch up there as well. We're pleased we won the game because you want to go into the competition with that hunger and desire to actually do well and win games."
To see a full list of the Cherries' Premier League Cup fixtures, click here.
