It has been a busy few weeks for the Hornets’ Under-18s side, who have recently faced off against Peterborough United in the Professional Development League and Luton Town in the cup equivalent.

Versus the Posh (November 12) the Young Hornets fell to a 3-1 defeat, while against the Hatters (November 5) they fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw.

Beginning by focusing on the clash against Peterborough, Under-18s Head Coach Charlie Daniels felt his side were unlucky to miss out, with the loss only their first misstep in six matches.

“There wasn’t much in the match against Peterborough,” Daniels said. “We had a couple of really good chances in the first half that we should’ve taken, but unfortunately, we didn’t.

“Then the game became stale and there wasn’t much between the sides. We tried to break them down, and we were on top for the majority of the match, and unfortunately a couple of mistakes cost us. When you are on top and dominating the game it’s crucial that you concentrate and not make mistakes that allow the opposition back into the game.

“We are heading in the right direction I believe, and I’m really happy with the players’ work ethic and their desire to want to improve. I try and drum that into them every single day. At this age you have to want to improve, and if you don’t improve then unfortunately other players, not only in this Academy, will.”

Under-16s prospect Harry Amass was on the scoresheet against the Posh, intercepting the ball off his opposite full-back before neatly nestling his strike into the far corner.

Daniels has been delighted with the progress made by some of the squad members from Watford’s younger age groups, including Amass, Tom Georgiou and Leo Ramirez-Espain, who have all received chances in recent matches.

“I have been really pleased with the players making that step up, and that’s why they have been given the opportunity,” he said.

“They have been doing well with the Under-16s and performing, and then when they come and train with us they have shown their qualities and their desire to be able to make that step up. They have shown Armand [Kavaja, Under-18s Assistant Coach] and I, and they have done really well.”

Elsewhere, up against local opponents Luton Town, Daniels’ side produced a fight back either side of the interval as Tobi Adeyemo and Adrian Blake etched their names onto the scoresheet to earn a valuable point.

During the energetic encounter, the Under-18s boss was particularly impressed with the Hornets’ opening goal converted by Adeyemo, as his side worked an intricate passing move to allow the striker a clear opening.

“It was exactly like a local derby – it was full and frantic during the first half-an-hour,” he continued.

“Luton got the better of us during the first 40 minutes, which was why they were two goals up, but we made a change in formation after their second goal and it seemed to help us as we gained a lot more control in the game. We grew into it and we got the game back to 2-2. We were unlucky not to end up winning in the end.

“From a team perspective, our first goal was really expectational. We built out from the back, just like you would do in a training session. After neat build-up between the goalkeeper, the defenders and then the midfielders, the ball got to Adrian Blake in a pocket of space, and then he fed in Tobi Adeyemo who scored at the near post.

“For me and the whole team that was really pleasing to score that type of goal. It’s everything that you work on day in and out. They’re the fundamentals and the principals of the way we want to play, so to see that come out in that goal was really pleasing for me.”

The Under-18s Head Coach was also keen to point out the character and desire on display from his side to secure a draw after going two goals down.

“It was a really good test, and not often have we been 2-0 down and having to chase the game,” Daniels said.

“It was really pleasing to see their character and the way they dealt with adversity. It’s not going to be the first time, so it was great to show that they can do it and to get that reward of getting a draw.

“They were disappointed about the first 40 minutes and being two goals down, but for the rest of the game they can be proud of how they saw the match, challenged the result and went full steam ahead rather than just allowing the other team to roll them over.”

Daniels also explained how he and his staff educated the Young Hornets on the rivalry between Watford and the Hatters before the match.

“We showed them a video of the history between Watford and Luton Town, and what it means to the supporters and the club,” Daniels added.

“We wanted to show them that if they want to be first-team players for Watford, then they have to understand the history of the club and what it means to Watford. The video showed ex-players scoring and what it meant to them, and then it went through to the Head Coach now, Slaven Bilić, and then the supporters who explained what the game meant to them.

“They knew exactly what they were going into, and we made sure they were fully prepared. That might have been a part of the comeback, but for me it was just to show them what it means to have that shirt on and what you are representing.”

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