Albion Under-21s face a quick turnaround when they host Everton on Monday evening (ko 6pm).
Moved an hour forward from the later time of 7pm earlier in the week, the Baggies’ young pros come into the clash having played 120 minutes and penalties following their Premier League Cup triumph over Cardiff City on Friday night.
Changes will be made, but a hard-working approach will remain for the Black Country boys as they look to build on their morale-boosting run in other competitions when they return to league action against the Toffees.
Last time out
Late drama saw Richard Beale’s boys secure maximum points with a 2-1 win over Sunderland in the PL2.
Despite a controlling performance, the 21s found themselves behind in the affair early into the second 45.
But character was shown to battle back; first, when Akeel Higgins met Michael Parker’s low cross to level proceedings, before Archie Kirton calmly finished in the 95th minute to wrap up an unlikely victory.
Venue
Albion return to Solihull Moors’ Damson Park stadium aiming to bring that winning feeling back at their main PL2 venue.
Crystal Palace claimed the points from the last match the club’s hopefuls played at the National League ground, and the Baggies will need to show no shortage of character against Everton’s young charges under the Monday night lights.
Pre-match thoughts
Goalkeeper Ben Cisse is urging his team-mates not to get “too high on the highs” and focus on the task at hand against the Toffees on Monday night.
While it could be easy to fly into their next match after a dramatic penalty-shootout triumph in the Welsh capital last time out, Albion’s England youth international between the sticks knows his side will have to dig deep if they’re to overcome their next opponents.
The 19-year-old doesn’t deny confidence hasn’t been gained from a brilliant result, but Cisse is intent on recovering and preparing properly from a quick turnaround - comparing the PL2 team’s current scenario with that of the first-team schedule at present.
This short timeframe between matches is a theme the Baggies’ academy hopefuls need to get used to if they’re to build a career in the game, something which Ben - who’s been at The Hawthorns since he was nine-years-old - is all too aware of.
For Cisse, it’s about showing the “best version of himself”, trying to keep a clean sheet, and supporting his team-mates as they look to move up the PL2 table.
He said: “The way we won last Friday - going a goal down and scoring last-minute before winning on penalties - has really helped our confidence.
“It’s always more difficult in games when going a goal down, but we have players who are able to affect games in many ways and that showed on the night.
“But as a team, we try not to stay too high on the highs, or too low on the lows.
“We just have to focus on the next game and win as many games as possible from now until the end of the season if we are to have a successful one when we look back on it.
“The situation we’re in now, we 100 per cent see the importance of being prepared for these tight turnarounds in the schedule.
“You see the schedule of the first team and how many games they play in such a short space of time, and going through it ourselves at the moment has made us see and appreciate the importance of recovery more.
“We have to make sure we are all recovered and rested well ready for the next game against Everton, and I believe we will be.
“Every game we play, whether that be home or away, we want to win and it’s even more special to win at Solihull with family and friends watching the game.
“I like to focus on what I can control and what I can control, I give it up to God.
“I go into every game wanting to be the best version of myself, making sure I play better every game and learn from the previous ones.
“Hopefully, this match can be one we take good stock from but to be able to do that, we have to show the basic, fighting spirit which will get us a positive result.”
How to follow
Match tickets will be available for Monday's Premier League 2 game versus Everton.
They are priced at £5 adults, and £1 for Under-17s and 65+, while Albion season ticket holders are able to watch the game for free. Supporters are able to purchase tickets on the gate outside the Damson Homes Stand. Free parking at the stadium will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Alternatively, WBA TV+ subscribers will be able to watch a live stream of the game here from 5.50pm.
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Monday's PL2 match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
