Wanderers U18s currently sit in third position in the Premier Academy League, after losing two and drawing one of their last three matches.
A 1-1 was recorded with West Bromwich Albion thanks to a goal by Oulwasanmi Odelusi, but the last two weekends has seen the scholars slip to defeats against Blackburn (3-0) and Manchester United (5-1).
Head Coach Peter Farrell spoke to the official website to review recent on-the-field events.
He said: "We had won five and drawn one game so we went into the West Bromwich Albion game with a lot of confidence. We were winning 1-0 and in total control of the game but we gave a silly goal away in injury time. Overall we deserved to win that game considering the work-rate but what I told the boys is that they have to work for the full 90 minutes - even 95 or 98 at times! Manchester United are the prime example and you have to concentrate to the end because the game isn't over until the referee blows his whistle.
"I don't think that goal had an effect on our last two defeats because we went to Manchester United to play against a club that has been paying £1m for some of the players in their academy. Recruitment-wise it's hard to compete against that and we have to go for local lads rather than paying that kind of money for players from France.
"But overall in the game itself, I thought we were the better side in the first-half. They scored just before half-time, which looked offside, and then I thought I would change the system in the second half and go with a 4-4-2 to take the game to them. But they managed to get on top and keep them ball better than us. It definitely didn't deserve to be a 5-1 scoreline - they merited the win but the scoreline was a harsh reflection.
"A lot of teams will lose to Manchester United this season and we just take it one game at a time, so I told the boys that the game was just a one-off. We then played Blackburn last Saturday and again I thought we played well in the second half because we had more possession and created more chances than they did. We had 14 shots on goal and only hit the target once, so that speaks volumes really.
"That is frustrating for any coach, especially at this level because you are trying to make the boys learn by their mistakes. You don't mind it in a way because that is why they are here, to make them early in their careers. But you know that the quicker they put those parts of their game right then they will become better players and they can move on. If they keep making those mistakes over and over again, it feels like a lost cause.They are things like picking up runners, marking players at corners, being brave and keeping focused when crosses come in.
"I'll be looking for a reaction this weekend when we play Manchester City because we have got the FA Youth Cup coming up and we have a squad of 18 for 11 starting places. The players have to prove to me how good they are if they really want to play at the Reebok Stadium against Wimbledon or Bournemouth, who we have drawn in the next round. I won't pick players out of loyalty, I'll be selecting my side based on players who have been doing well. There is the presumption that the second years will be guaranteed a place but that doesn't matter because I want to do well in this competition, like we did last year."
