Since the spirited 4-2 defeat in the FA Youth Cup quarter final against Liverpool in late February, Wanderers U18s haven't been able to return to winning ways, slipping to narrow defeats against both Crewe Alexandra (0-1) and Sheffield Wednesday (0-2).

Good overall performances haven't reaped deserved results, explained Peter Farrell, who maintains that the story of Wanderers' season in the Barclays Academy League has been dictated by individual errors.

The Academy coach said: "The lads were a bit disappointed to get beat in the FA Youth Cup because they thought they had a chance against Liverpool. The players will always have the memory and can say they played in such a big game at such a famous ground, but no one looks back and remembers the losers.

"Silly mistakes cost us in that game and it's been the story of the season. We've played some good, attractive football but our downfall has been individual errors. They are making these errors at an early age and it's all about learning for the future and how they can put it right.

"It's all about going through these on the training ground, some players take it onboard and others don't and the ones that take heed from that advice will become footballers.

"That was the case against Crewe - we conceded the only goal from a silly free-kick. We had 65% of the possession, although that alone won't win you games.

"But I can't fault the lads' effort because they will always come back in on a Monday morning and try to put things right. I suppose if they didn't make mistakes then there wouldn't be anything to coach!"

With just a handful of games remaining in the season, Farrell is hoping that his players will be able to turn recent results on their head in the coming weeks.

But whilst he is focusing on winning football matches, he will also take the opportunity to plan for the future by introducing some of next year's scholars to the U18s setup.

Farrell explained: "We've set targets about winning games. It is all about developing players, but the most important thing is winning games and learning how you go about doing that. When you are on a good run of form, you are full of confidence, whereas if you are losing then it becomes a habit which is something that is very hard to get out of.

"We're are already looking ahead to the next group of scholars that will be coming in next year and we are going to give them a game in the U18s setup. It will be a different type of football to what they are used to playing.

"You have got to ease them in because we probably play in a different way to the U16s, and the league is more physical with a quicker tempo. We've got some very good young players coming in next year, so I'm looking forward to see how they will cut it."



Farrell believes that some of this season's outstanding prospects deserve their chance to progress to the next level at the football club, especially striker Danny Ward who capped off a fine individual performance in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Anfield with a stunning 25 yard strike in front of the Kop.

Farrell revealed: "I think Danny Ward is on the verge of the first team squad, whilst Chris Stokes has been doing very well along with Michael O'Halloran and Aaron Mooy.

"But for me, Danny Ward has been the one this year. He has pulled the strings, he looks a quality player and we hope that essentially he pushes through.

"He's been playing well all season and it's just been unfortunate that he has had a couple of injuries that have stopped him from having a run of games. When he is playing well, there is no better striker in the academy.

"His performance at Liverpool summed him up - he was the best player on the pitch. He originally came to us from Leeds after we had paid a bit of money for him and he struggled when he first arrived. But we've worked hard with him to make him stronger and quicker and we now feel that the lad has got the potential."