Derby County U18 Vs Blackburn Rovers U18
FA Premier League Academy
Saturday 4th September 2010
Kick-off 12pm
Derby County's under 18s are back in action this weekend after a fortnight without a game.
After kicking their season off with a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last month, Derby were scheduled to travel to Watford last Saturday.
But a burst pipe flooded Watford's training ground, forcing the game to be postponed.
Blackburn Rovers are the visitors to Moor Farm, and Academy manager Darren Wassall is keen to build on the positive performance against Tottenham.
That display has given him great heart for the season ahead, and wants to keep the feel-good factor buzzing around the Academy.
"Everyone is upbeat and looking forward to the game, especially after not playing last Saturday," Wassall told dcfc.co.uk.
"We're focused on performances and we want another one from the players this weekend.
"They performed very well against Tottenham, and to be honest the games can't come quick enough for us right now.
"There is a good spirit in the camp and everyone is raring to go.
"What we're eager to do is build on the first eight weeks of pre-season, and we've been getting the message across to the players not to take their foot off the gas.
"The hard work starts now, the real hard work."
Wassall also feels a number of his players will benefit greatly from playing for the reserves in the totesport.com Central Division last week.
Callum Ball, Chris Jones, Aaron Cole, Stefan Galinski, Alex Witham, Kane Richards and Mark O'Brien were all involved in the 2-1 success.
In addition, Ball appeared as a late substitute for the first-team against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday while O'Brien was an unused substitute.
He said: "We had seven players from the under 18s who played for the reserves in last Wednesday's victory over Sheffield United, which was great to see.
"That will have done them the world of good and we hope they can take that experience into the game against Blackburn.
"And it was also pleased to have Callum and Mark involved with the first team, which was again valuable experience for them."
Wassall is without Yohann Le Sant (knee) and Sam McElroy (wrist), but otherwise has a full squad at his disposal.
