Albion’s academy hopefuls head into their next Premier League Cup group game against Southampton on Friday night (ko 7pm) targeting consecutive wins in the tournament.
Triumph last time around - a first in the competition this term - sends Richard Beale’s men into their clash on the south coast with confidence, but the ever-present quality in the Saints ranks will make it a difficult challenge to overcome.
Last time out
Fleetwood Town suffered their third consecutive defeat in the PL Cup at the hands of the Baggies.
Harry Whitwell, first-year scholar Matt Crowther, and Eseosa Sule scored to ensure a 3-2 win at the EcoGiants Stadium.
Venue
Beale’s boys visit Southampton's Staplewood Training Ground for their Group C clash on Friday.
The game was originally set to take place at AFC Totton's Snows Stadium, but Albion will now play their fourth PL Cup match at Saints' training base.
Pre-match thoughts
Alex Williams made an impression as a 16-year-old at this Friday’s venue two seasons ago, but will return at a different, and even more vital stage of his career this time around.
Much-needed senior experience has been obtained by the Wales U21 international during the 2024/25 term, playing a handful of times for Southern Premier Central outfit Stratford Town during a month’s loan.
At 19-years-old, Alex knows the need for first-team football better than anyone at this juncture in his journey, and although a short spell at the Bards has added that exposure to his CV, he is looking ahead to more of those opportunities before the end of the campaign.
Prior to the next chance arising, though, Williams has his eyes set on helping the Baggies overcome Southampton on Friday night - where a win would put them right in the mix for qualification from the group stages.
“It’s all learning at this stage,” said Alex.
“Southampton are always a good team but after a few tricky results, I feel we are on an upward trajectory now.
“I’m looking forward to it and we’ll try and keep that momentum going heading into Christmas and get as many good results as we can to have a good end to the year.
“I remember coming on for five minutes that year in the PL Cup when we won it and that was enough to see how much it meant to the lads and the coaching staff.
“We speak about experiences, and ones like those are priceless because you don’t how many finals or trophies you’ll have the chance of winning in your career.
“So the pressure and nerves from games like the PL Cup, not just for the older ones like me and Matt Richards, but the younger lads like Matt Crowther, Noah Dupont, Dauda Iddrisa, it'll be good for them to experience these situations early on.
“Hopefully, we can push on in this cup and get a similar feeling.
“I’ve spent some of this season away on loan. I was at Stratford for a month, so it was about getting as much out of it as I could.
“It was a massive learning experience because I was still training at Albion, and then going to and from academy preparation to senior football. It’s a huge difference and you learn a lot about real football, as well as different styles and players.
“In academy football, it’s common you’re going to come up against tacky wingers who will try and beat you one-on-one, but then in senior football you’re up against men who will try and rough you up in duels. So I learnt a lot of things that will be precious for my development.
“The Southampton game will most likely see me play against someone who will be younger than me and although it’s not a bad thing, I think I need to try and get out on another loan, play against older, bigger players so I can take those experience into a senior programme next year.
“It’s an important time in my career now. The start of 2025 will define where I go in my career, whether it’s at Albion or elsewhere, I feel confident I will be able to kick on.
“I need to focus on myself and use my time here to boost my chances. The coaches have been so good to me over the years and if I do stay or go somewhere else, I know they’re going to help me and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”
How to follow
There will be live updates across our social media channels for Friday night’s PL Cup match against Southampton.
The full report, reaction and highlights from the match will be available on the website following the full-time whistle.
