Wilkinson: Hammers win set the standard for Elite Development Squad | OneFootball

Elite Development Squad lead coach Ben Wilkinson says the manner of Saturday’s superb 4-1 win over West Ham served as the template for his players to try and emulate over the rest of the season.

City’s Under-21s produced a statement win at the CFA by putting a Hammers side who had won all five of their previous PL2 games to the sword.

It made it five wins out of five for City in the league and saw us leapfrog West Ham into top spot in the table going into the October international break.

And for Wilkinson it set the standards in terms of tone, focus and performance going forward into the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.

“I think typically with City teams, I always feel that we get stronger as the season goes on,” the EDS boss reflected.

“And I just feel that you see a moment where at some point in the season the guys kind of get it and understand what we're after.

“I thought the West Ham game was probably the best version of us that we've seen so far this season.

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“And I said to the boys afterwards that that has to be kind of our standard now.

“The way we controlled the game with the ball for large, large parts against a team that had won five out of five in the league was really pleasing.

“I was really pleased with the performance and there were so many positives to take out of it.”

What was even more satisfying for the lead coach was the way the City youngsters coped with an intense week that also seen many of the group travel to and from Slovakia where we recorded a fine 4-0 UEFA Youth League win over Slovan Bratislava.

For Wilkinson it was a priceless window into the gruelling schedule that players would have to navigate if and when they progress to elite level.

So, to see the City youngsters cope in such a successful manner was another huge positive both in the short term and in regards to the players’ long-term development

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“It was a tough week in terms of the games as well as the travel to and from Slovakia,” Wilkinson added.

“There was a little bit of turnover of players in terms of that UEFA Youth League game in Bratislava and Saturday’s match with West Ham.

“So, some players had a few days to prepare for the West Ham game and some players had a busy week.

“But I think that's the great thing about the programme. It mirrors the first team schedule and shows the lads that they need to be ready for those challenges if and when they get there.

“Overall, it's been a real positive for us to have that kind of that schedule and get the outcomes we have.”