'Tough test' for Development Squad - Ugo

Ugo Ehiogu was glad to see our Development Squad tested in a different environment in Tuesday night’s friendly at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Alex McQueen cancelled out Nic Bignell’s early opener as we drew 1-1 with the non-league side at the Beveree Stadium in a useful workout for some of our young players – many of whom are regulars for us in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.

The fixture pitted the lads up against a senior men’s team, with Under-21s Coach Ugo pleased with elements of what he saw.

“We’ve been big on not just the physical emphasis, but the man’s game as a whole and I thought today resembled League or Conference football in parts,” he said.

“It was certainly an eye-opener for some and you can never recreate this sort of atmosphere on the training ground, which is why it’s very nice to come here and get put under pressure.

“Their lad took his goal very well but we’ve got to be able to deal with whatever comes afterwards and the whole atmosphere around games like this – that’s the reality of it. The players have got to be able to deal with everything and still be the best player in a one-v-one situation.

“It was a tough test for us but the vast majority of the boys came through it.”