Michael Skubala believes playing in front of a large Elland Road crowd will be a vital learning experience for his Leeds United U21s. As of this morning, 9,000 tickets had been sold for Friday night’s Premier League 2 Division 2 clash with Southampton and there is a chance that number could hit five figures.
With the first-team’s game at Manchester United being postponed this weekend, a number of senior players are expected to drop down into the youth ranks to face the Saints, with Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo and club captain Liam Cooper amongst those in contention for the contest. Wilfried Gnonto is also expected to feature in some capacity, making his first appearance in a Leeds shirt since his deadline day move from FC Zurich.
However, for the younger members of Skubala’s squad this may be one of the first times they have played in front of such a large crowd. The presence of such experienced first-teamers will certainly provide a calming influence, but the U21s boss is keen to see how his youngsters handle such an occasion.
READ MORE: LIVE updates as Bamford, Ayling, Cooper, Firpo and Gnonto start for Leeds United U21s
“It’s one the challenges of youth development and academies, they don’t really have many experiences of playing in front of crowds,” Skubala said during a pre-match press conference. “Whether we like it or not, it creates its own pressures and it creates the environment of a professional footballer.
“First and foremost these stadium games are there to support the 21s experiences and how we can use those to support our youth players is key and how we blend and mould the senior players in with that is also important. One of the things academy players don’t realise is when you speak to each other in front of thousands of people, you can’t hear each other and the crowd takes over the noise.
“In a game that hasn’t got big crowds, you can speak and help young players through the game. At certain points they’re the gladiators, they have to go out there and it’s an amazing experience for them.
“Having older and senior players around them to support them in that environment is absolutely key. There’s no better teacher than someone alongside you to support you through those games, good or bad.”
Due to the passing of the Queen and her funeral, Leeds’ first-team won’t be in action again until October 2. As such, focus has turned to the U21s, who will also be in action on Tuesday as they kick-off their Papa John’s Trophy campaign at Crewe Alexandra, and Skubala is grateful for the support.
“Sometimes these opportunities come around in football, with games being called off it allows the fans to come and see some of the players they wouldn’t expect and some of the younger players at the stadium,” he added. “The tickets that have been sold is absolutely amazing and we know the club supports the youth pathway as well as the senior players. It’s going to be good occasion.
“The fans, with me and with Jesse, have been brilliant and it’s really good to see them turn out for a 21s game, if we can push over 10,000, what an experience. We’re all one club and we all want to win games and do well but 10,000 would be amazing.”
Supporters will be given the chance to remember the Queen at Elland Road on Friday night with the club taking the opportunity to pay tribute with a minute’s silence ahead of the U21s clash.
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