AFC Bournemouth
Coach Alan Connell is hoping his ‘old’ guard can sign off in style when AFC Bournemouth host Plymouth Argyle in their EFL Youth Alliance title decider.
The Cherries lock horns with the Pilgrims at Canford Arena on Saturday with the South West divisional championship up for grabs (11.30am kick-off).
Table-topping Cherries, champions in 2019/20, are level on 34 points with second-placed Plymouth but lead the way by virtue of a superior goal difference.
By finishing in the top five, both clubs have already guaranteed a place in the top flight of the Merit League where they will face the top five from the South East division.
Connell will take the opportunity to blood several under-16s in the Merit League, while his second-year scholars will further their footballing education by going on work experience loans.
Skipper Owen Bevan is currently benefitting significantly from a loan spell, the highly-rated defender starring for Truro City in Southern Premier South.
Connell will look to loan out fellow second years Marcus Daws, Noa Boutin, Owen Palmer and Ferdinand Okoh, meaning Saturday’s game could be their last for the under-18s.
Discussing the process, Connell told afcb.co.uk: “We only have five second years and Owen is already out on loan so we will be looking to get the others out on loan imminently.
“It could be the last game of this cycle for some of them and we will be going even younger for the remaining games of the season in the Merit League.
“This group – and the second years in particular – have been faultless in their attitude and behaviour.
“They are a credit to themselves and to our club. I would love for them to finish off well on Saturday as we look to progress their careers.
“When you loan out young players, there’s a lot to think about. Is the player ready physically? Does the player need more work technically? Which club do you send them to?
“You could argue the ball is on the floor more in academy football, especially the way we like to play.
“Our loans manager Carl Fletcher is a massive part of the decision-making process and there are lots of considerations which go into a loan.
“If a young player has first-team games on his CV then I think that will give him a head start for his next loan or maybe even give him more credit with a first-team manager to know he can handle a first-team environment.
“I also think there are lots of benefits to playing for the under-18s, especially when they are playing for the club they and us want them to represent in our first team in a few years. It’s always a balance.
“We feel the time is right for our second years who have played virtually every minute this season and will look to get them out on loan in the coming days and weeks.”
Plymouth, who are coached by former Yeovil Town manager Darren Way, arrive in Dorset having beaten the Cherries in the EFL Youth Alliance and the EFL Youth Alliance Cup this season.
“We lost 2-1 away in the league and they knocked us out of the cup at the start of the season in two very tight games,” added Connell.
“They are really well coached by Darren Way and their results have picked up as the season has gone on so we are expecting another really difficult game but one we will be ready for.
“It promises to be a really entertaining watch and a great experience for both sets of players. It’s going to be exciting for the players, their families and all the staff.”
Click through the arrows above to see a selection of pictures from the season so far.
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