The Under-21s head into Friday’s next Premier League 2 match against Leeds United (ko 7pm) with plenty of optimism following recent results.
It’s now four games unbeaten across PL competitions for Professional Development Phase boss Richard Beale's youngsters, and they’ll be looking to take advantage of this positive moment when they travel up to North Yorkshire.
Last time out
The club’s academy products had to settle for a point from their last league match against Southampton.
Things ended 1-1 at The Hawthorns, with Harry Whitwell netting his fifth goal in three matches. This form has earned him a nomination for the September Player of the Month award.
Another game, another goal for @HarryWhitwell08. ⚽️
Watch highlights from our recent #PL2 clash against @SouthamptonFC at The Hawthorns. 🎥— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) September 29, 2024
Venue
Albion’s PL2 team will play under the lights at York City’s LNER Community Stadium when they face the Whites on Friday night.
The ground has been the main venue for United’s youth team games over recent seasons.
Pre-match thoughts
Centre-back Muhamed Diomande is happy with where his game is heading into the Baggies’ meeting with Leeds despite a challenging introduction to life at The Hawthorns.
The first PL2 matches of the campaign saw the club’s youngsters suffer heavy defeats, with Diomande receiving a red card during the second match - which ended in a 4-0 loss to Brighton.
But Albion have presented Muhamed, or “Mo”, with an opportunity to push closer to his professional aspirations after swapping one side of the Black Country for the other following his switch to the Baggies from Wolves.
Diomande, who grew up in Italy originally, spent four years with Wanderers prior to joining Beale’s boys this term, and he’s hoping the unity among his team-mates shows again on Friday as Albion look to make it five unbeaten in the PL2.
Mo said: “Leaving a club you’ve been at for four years is tough, but when I came here I already knew most of the players.
“I’ve been welcomed, settled in well, there’s so much respect between everyone, the environment is busy and there’s lots of stories between the lads, so it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.
“The coaches are very good. As people, they’re direct, open, and that helps us develop at this stage. We can rely on them and that’s the main thing. I’m focused on giving my all here and seeing where it gets me.
“I’ve gained a lot of confidence from these early games. I feel the freedom to show how I can play - even if that’s meant some mistakes - but that’s come by training at the level I want to show on the pitch when it comes to the games.
“We’ve learned our lessons from the Norwich game at the start until now. There’s been massive progression and hopefully we keep elevating and stay towards the top of the table. That’s what we’re aiming for.
“After four unbeaten games, I think confidence is on our side. We will turn up to the game against Leeds working hard and doing what we do best to try and get a positive result out of it.
“I want to play for the first team, whether that’s getting an appearance in the league or the cup, and if that doesn’t happen going on loan is always an option too so it’s about building my profile.
“I’ve seen a lot of players come from this academy and play at the top level, so I believe this club can get me somewhere based on the hard work I put in.
"Hopefully, it’ll pay off in the end and the first team boss has given out opportunities to academy players before, so I believe with that faith I can get somewhere here.”
How to follow
There will be live updates across our social media channels for Friday night’s PL2 match against Leeds.
The full report, reaction and highlights from the match will be available on the website following the full-time whistle.
For supporters wishing to attend the game in York, tickets are available for purchase here.
