City’s U21s return to Professional Development League action with an away fixture against Queens Park Rangers.
The match will be played at the TSG Training Centre, on Tuesday, October 13th, and kick-off is at 2pm.
PRE-MATCH | DAN OLA
"I think we’ve been executing what we’ve been doing in training, even if the results haven’t always shown that. We’re gradually learning and getting better, and the confidence and morale around the training ground is high. We just need to stick at it, not focus too much on previous results and keep doing what we’re doing.
“Against Leicester, we knew afterwards that it wasn’t 100% us. We went long quite a bit, and there are things we can learn from, both in and out of possession. They are a great team, but on another day, when we’re at our best, I think we’d be capable of beating them.
“QPR are one of the better teams in the league on the ball. They like to pass and play out, I think we’ll do well on the counter-attack if we’re on it with our pressing. They’re a top side, and I don’t think their results necessarily show how good they are.
“Going into two-game weeks now, recovery is very important because that’s when you can pick up niggles and players can drop out. Getting enough sleep and eating well will put us in the right position going into a busy month of fixtures.”
LAST TIME OUT
On Friday evening, the young Bluebirds’ perfect start to the Premier League Cup came to an end as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Premier League 2 side Leicester City.
Matthew Bloxham’s side took an early lead through the in-form Jake Davies inside the opening ten minutes, with the winger netting his fifth goal in his last six appearances.
The ball fell kindly on the edge of the box following a Rob Tankiewicz free-kick delivery, and Davies’ powerful strike was enough to beat Freddie Marson in the Leicester goal.
The Foxes responded well, with Lorenz Hutchinson converting from the penalty spot to draw the visitors level before the interval.
City valiantly stuck to their task for large periods of the second half but were undone by two quick-fire goals from striker Joseph Corden, who put the game out of the Bluebirds’ reach with two strikes inside three minutes after the 70-minute mark.
Despite the defeat against a strong Category One outfit, City remain in a strong position to progress from Group B into the last 16, having picked up six points after three group stage fixtures.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
The R’s head into Tuesday’s fixture on a four-game losing streak in all competitions.
Following the extended international break, they returned to Premier League Cup action on Friday evening and were defeated 5-1 by Premier League 2 high-flyers Southampton.
Having previously won this competition in the 2024/25 season, QPR currently sit third in Group A, losing two of their opening three group stage matches.
In the Professional Developmental League, the West London based side sit 16th after seven fixtures, having recorded one win, one draw and five defeats to collect four points.
TICKET INFORMATION
Admission to watch the fixture at the TSG Training Centre is restricted to invited guests and players’ families only.
Supporters of both clubs will not be permitted entry.