Wayne highlights ‘opportunity’ for new-look Under-21s

Our Under-21s begin the 2024/25 season away to Chelsea tonight (Friday 16 August, 7pm UK), with coach Wayne Burnett looking for more of the same character and mentality that took us to the Premier League 2 title last term.

With a number of players from the last campaign having moved on either permanently or on loan and others working with our first team throughout pre-season, our line-up looks set to be vastly different when we take to the field this time around – such is the nature of Under-21s football.

For Wayne, it’s an exciting opportunity for the players who were on the fringes of the starting line-up last season and those who have come up from the Under-18s to take their game to the next level.

“We’ve had a good pre-season – there’s been some changes within the group in terms of personnel, some of our players from last season have either moved on or have been with the first team during pre-season so the group looks a little different, but that’s good because it gives an opportunity for players who have come up from the youth team to test themselves in a competitive environment in the Under-21s, and for those who already have experience at this level to take on more responsibility,” he said.

“We spoke this week about getting up to speed, being focused, being brave – they’re the things that we’re looking for. We were fortunate last year that we had a really consistent group, we had numbers that made it competitive – that’s something that I think helped the group – and there was a real sense of togetherness, so hopefully we can get the same with this group. That’s what Under-21s football is, the personnel change but it’s an opportunity for these young players now to test themselves in this environment.”

What are Wayne’s hopes for the new season?

“Our objective, as it has been and always will be, is for players to develop and to hopefully produce players for our first team,” he said. “Our job on a day-to-day basis is to make them ready for if and when an opportunity presents itself, to help them understand the requirements and the detail needed in order to go and player senior football.

“From a team perspective, we’ll be going into every game to win like we did last year – that’s no different. The character and mentality last year from the players was outstanding – that has to continue and I think that some of the players who were already part of that will help bring that forward and give an indication to the players who are coming through of what the requirements are. It’s my job and our job as staff as well to remind the players of the expectations when you’re playing at a top club like Tottenham Hotspur.”

It's set to be a busy start to the season for Wayne’s side, with our Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign beginning away to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening. First, though, it’s a London derby at Kingsmeadow tonight…

“We’re relishing playing Chelsea,” Wayne added. “We know that each time we play them it’s highly competitive, they’re a very good team so it’s a game that we look forward to, where we can look to go and impose ourselves on the game. It’ll be a tough game against an always impressive Chelsea team but as long as we can try to be consistent as a group, do the things that we’ve been working on in training, keep trying to develop, have some continuity and make progress, I’m looking forward to seeing how things work out.”

Watch our Under-21s live at Stevenage this season

Our first home game of the Premier League 2 season takes place next Sunday (25 August) at Stevenage's Lamex Stadium against Newcastle United, kick-off 1pm. Why not enjoy a day out and support our exciting young players as they look to push towards senior football - tickets cost just £5 for adults and £2 for children and are available in advance of every home game via Stevenage's ticketing website or at the ground on the day.