Patrick Casey and Micah Mbick spoke of their excitement at taking on Barnsley this Saturday in the U18 Professional Development League Two play-off semi-final.
“I’m absolutely buzzing,” said Casey. “Obviously last season we didn’t do so well against them so it’s going to be nice to get revenge.
“I think it will be a challenge for us, but we’re well prepared for it, tactically and technically,” he continued.
The two teams met in the play-off final last time around, with the Tykes claiming the win on penalties. Mbick, who was an unused substitute in that game, has the personal motivation to go one better this weekend.
“Big games require big players sometimes,” he said. “We’ve prepared a lot as a team. Last year I was on the bench and they beat us in the final, so I’m looking to get one up on them.”
Both strikers, who each have 42 goals to their name this season, are pleased to have the guidance of Lead Coach Jason Pearce, who has spoken in the past about how much he relishes working with the best players possible.
“Pearcey’s done a lot of work with us individually and as a team,” revealed Mbick. “We know how to play with each other and he gives us good advice tactically. He’s always open for questions, he always wants to improve.”
Just as exciting for the pair is the opportunity to work with each other on Saturday: “We haven’t played with each other in a while, so it will be nice to get that link-up again,” said Casey.
“We’re always bound to create chances for each other,” added Mbick.
Both were extremely confident in the other’s finishing abilities and equally happy for goalscoring opportunities to fall to either of the prolific pair.
“If either of us are in the position to score, it’s a goal at the end of the day,” Casey explained. “We’ll come at them from all angles.”
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