Brentford B forward Iwan Morgan has looked ahead to the young Bees Premier League Cup clash with West Bromwich Albion Under-21s on Monday night (7pm kick-off GMT).
Morgan says the PL Cup is one of the competitions he “looks forward to the most” each season.
The forward played a key role in last season’s run to the final against QPR, and he is hoping to go one better this season.
“The Premier League Cup has quickly become one of the competitions I look forward to the most each season,” he said.
“As a group, we speak a lot about how important it is for our development, and you can feel that every time we step out onto the pitch.
“The intensity, the quality of the opposition and the pressure of the games make it a brilliant environment for young players like me who want to push themselves to the next level.
“We genuinely love playing in this competition. It gives us a stage to test ourselves against some of the strongest academies in the country, and it challenges every part of your game, physically, tactically and mentally.
“For me personally, this season is a huge opportunity to use these matches as a launchpad so that I’m ready for consistent men’s football when the time comes.”
There have been a number of players who have gone out on loan this past season from the Academy, and Morgan wants to put himself in a position to perform when his time comes.
“I look at some of my friends who were in the same dressing room not long ago - Benjamin Fredrick, Ethan Brierley - and I can see how well they’re doing because they were prepared,” explained Morgan.
“They took everything they learned here, everything they gained from games like these, and carried it into the men's game.
“Watching them thrive makes me hungry to be next. It shows what’s possible when you take these moments seriously.
“That’s why competitions like the Premier League Cup mean so much to us. They put you in real situations that, if you want to be the best and play at the highest level, you have to find solutions to challenges on the pitch.
“They teach you how to win, how to compete and how to adapt. Every match feels like a step toward the player you want to become, and that’s exactly how I treat it.”
In reference to Monday's game, Morgan reiterated that the team will do their best to rectify their recent loss to West Brom.
“We know it's a big game. The group is tight and we know exactly what’s at stake,” he said.
“For me and for the team, it’s another chance to show how much we’re growing and to prove we belong at this level and beyond. We’re determined to perform, to compete and to keep ourselves in the fight to progress."
Last Time Out
Brentford cruised to a 3-0 Professional Development League win over Swansea City away from home last time out.
Luka Bentt starred with a brace at Joma High Performance Centre, with Chanse Headman heading home his first goal of the season to make it three for the Bees.
Previously against West Brom, Sam Saunders' side impressed in a 1-0 defeat at The Alexander Stadium.
After losing Gustavo Nunes to a red card, Brentford were forced to play with 10 men, however continued to dominate the ball and create chances, but were unable to finish off their work.
About West Bromwich Albion U21s
West Brom enter Monday's game top of Group E in the PL Cup, with two wins and a draw to see them one point ahead of the Bees and with a game in hand.
It's been a tougher season results-wise wise in the Premier League 2, with the young Baggies recording one win from nine games to sit 27th in the table.
Following Monday's clash, West Brom will travel to face Exeter City on 16 December before rounding out their PL Cup group games at home against Luton Town on 22 December.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Monday night are available online here.
Tickets cost £5 for adults, £3 for seniors (65+) and young persons (U25) and £1 for U18s.
Media Coverage
The club will have updates of the game against West Brom on social media, as well as a match report on the club's website and app.