Derby County Under-18s will be keen to build on their superb run of form this Saturday when they travel to face West Bromwich Albion, kick-off 11am.
Justin Walker’s side are currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten spell in all competitions and tasted victory in all but one of those games.
Consequently, the Rams sit in a healthy fourth place in the U18s Premier League North table after collecting 14 points from their first seven league matches.
Last time out, Derby put in a controlled display to beat Stoke City 2-0. Lee Buchanan gave his side a deserved lead just before half-time before Tyree Wilson completed the scoring in the second period.
Post-match, Walker was able to see more positives from his players despite them perhaps not reaching optimum level.
He said: “I thought at times we played some very good football, but we were a little bit off the standards.
“Sometimes you have to win ugly in football and I think that’s a good habit to have but at this level the performances are always the priority.”
Key to the team’s success has been their attacking abilities, and those traits have fully come to fore on several occasions so far this season.
A complete and comprehensive performance saw Newcastle soundly beaten by an 8-0 scoreline back in September, whilst a first U18s Premier League Cup clash with Brighton saw the Rams triumph 4-1.
The side will be full of confidence and belief after their start and they have a good recent record when travelling away to West Brom too. Last season saw Derby leave the West Bromwich Albion Training Ground with all three points after a 3-1 win.
Saturday’s opponents have struggled in comparison to the Rams. They currently sit bottom of the Premier League North table on four points and have won only once this season.
A positive result did come in the Baggies’ last game though as they claimed a point from a lively 3-3 draw with league leaders Everton.