Albion Under-21s head to Teesside with the aim of claiming another Premier League 2 victory when they face Middlesbrough on Friday afternoon (ko 1pm).
The young Baggies are unbeaten in their last six matches in PL youth competitions, and eyes are fixed on making that seven against ‘Boro.
Last time out
An emphatic 5-0 victory over Liverpool sends Richard Beale’s men into their next game full of confidence.
Eseosa Sule and Reyes Cleary scored braces, with Dauda Iddrisa netting late on to put added gloss on a stellar display on Merseyside.
A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ showing from our #PL2 lads against Liverpool! 😮💨
Watch the full highlights from our youngsters' 5-0 win over the Reds here! 👇— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 20, 2025
Venue
Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground will host Friday’s PL2 against Albion’s PDP group.
Pre-match thoughts
Cole Deeming is one of those youngsters looking to start on Teesside and, as the midfielder admits, it’s an “exciting time” to be at the club for the boyhood Baggies fan.
The recent return of Tony Mowbray to The Hawthorns brought back nostalgia for many an Albion fan and while, at two-years-old, Cole wouldn’t have remembered the boss’ previous spell in B71, his family have been on-hand to remind him of the high esteem Tony is held in.
“There’s a good feeling around the club with the new manager here,” said Deeming.
“If our group in the 21s keep winning, then hopefully that can put thoughts into his head to come and watch more of our games so that, eventually, we can be in his mind later down the line.
“I don’t quite remember him last time here - I’d have been two! But my family are big Albion fans and they know a lot about him - my dad especially is a big supporter of his.
“He was over the moon when he came back and even just speaking to friends and family, they only have good memories of him.
“He’s brought a positive feeling and hopefully we can push on as a club together.”
While each academy graduate strives to impress any first-team manager, Mowbray’s affinity in the Black Country only drives the 18-year-old on more to achieve his lifetime goal for the Baggies, having already made the first step in August 2024 following his senior debut in the Carabao Cup.
Technically, Deeming continues to play a year above his age group after penning his professional deal last season, where he says the matches against men in the National League and Birmingham Senior Cup have hammered home the importance of building his physicality and work off the ball.
As well as enhancing his defensive and attacking attributes in the middle of the park, Cole has used his time around older players to develop his leadership qualities, and the success of that particular area has shown in the U18s’ FA Youth Cup run this term.
The central midfielder has skippered the club’s youngsters during the prestigious tournament - helping them reach the fifth round with some all-action displays, and he’s hoping another positive performance against ‘Boro can prepare him for that next exciting Youth Cup clash, and keep the positivity going in the 21s group.
Deeming continued: “I’ve really enjoyed this season.
“I spent pre-season with the first team and it was good to be around that environment, but I’ve been playing most games in the 21s and training as much as I can with the senior side when I can to put myself in front of the new gaffer and make a good impression.
“I don’t mind either being an attacking or holding midfielder. In the Youth Cup I’ve been attacking more whereas in the 21s, I’ve been sitting a bit deeper during games. If I was to pinpoint my favourite, I’d like to be box-to-box as a No.8 doing both but it’s good to have all of them.
“One of the main things I’ve spoken to coaches about this year has been that other side of the game, the out of possession, physical duties. No one is perfect on the ball so that always has to be worked on, but my main focus is to be more physical, use my body and do the hard yards when we don’t have the ball.
“I do base my game off Alex Mowatt and when I watch the games, I try and focus on him and see what he does.
“He is left-footed, like me, and we both like to get on the ball, control games, make things happen, and even in training just seeing how sharp he is reminds me of the level I want to get to - playing week in, week out in the Championship.
"The win against Liverpool has been massive for our confidence. If you just win one or two-nil, it doesn't feel as good but to really dominate a team like that and put five past a club of that standing was a massive boost for us.
“Sometimes, with big teams like that, you have to be patient and when we had the ball, we were sharp and made the most of the moments we created. The lads are in good spirits and like any game, we go into this one on Friday wanting to win.”
How to follow
There will be live updates across our social media channels for Friday's PL2 match against Middlesbrough.
The full report, reaction and highlights from the match will be available on the website following the full-time whistle.
