U21 Match Preview | Sheffield United vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City's U21 side travel to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Tuesday afternoon - 1pm KO.
The young Bluebirds picked up their first league win of the season last time out, defeating Barnsley 2-1 at CCS at the start of the month. With a number of young City stars representing Wales at U19 and U21 levels this week, a number of younger scholars are expected to now make the step up to play for the U21 side on Tuesday afternoon, giving the younger players a good opportunity to play and impress at the home of the Blades.
Sheffield United's U21 side are currently at the top of the PDL North table, having won all three of their opening matches of the season. United have scored 14 goals from those three matches, defeating Ipswich Town 6-0 on the opening day of the campaign before then winning 4-0 and 4-2 against Bristol City and Swansea City, respectively.
The young Blades are managed by Michael Collins, who previously served the club as the head of individual player development. His appointment followed Paul Heckingbottom's move from managing the academy side to taking up his permanent position as Manager of Sheffield United's First Team in November 2021.
With tickets available at the Cherry Street Stand turnstiles on the day, City supporters can also tune in to watch the match live via Sheffield United's YouTube account!
Ahead of Tuesday's trip to South Yorkshire, U21s Manager Darren Purse previewed the fixture against the Blades:
“Sheffield United are probably one of the best-run sides currently in Category Two academies,” began Darren. “Their U18 and U21 sides always do well, and playing them away from home may well be our toughest game of the season.
“When we beat them last year, we both had a strong side out, and we’re expecting another test for the boys this time. Bramall Lane is probably one of the best grounds that you can play at, so it will be a good experience for the boys to play there.
“We’ve got a really young side travelling with us, with the injuries that we’ve got and a number of U19 and U21 players also being called up to represent Wales at youth levels. It’s left us short, but that’s an opportunity for the young lads who are playing to express themselves and show what they’re all about. It’s a chance for players to step up and prove that they belong on the pitch at this level.
“For some of the lads, they won’t have played at a stadium before Tuesday’s match. From the size of the pitch to the surrounding stands, it will be a great experience. The opportunity has been thrust upon them, and now it’s about these young players going out onto the pitch and performing well in these circumstances.”
