Gradi Milenge thinks the way that the Youth Team players have stepped up to the challenge of Development Squad football has been really encouraging.
Gradi was one of four Youth Team players who featured in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at Jersey Road.
Alongside Gradi Bradley Clayton and Courtney Senior both started while James Ferry was a substitute in the second-half.
Five more Youth Team players have been involved so far this season and Gradi thinks that shows the great potential that is in the Youth Team this season.
Leading the league by 8 points Gradi feels that Youth Team football isn’t stretching him and his teammates as much as it could and wants to step up and push himself in Under-21s action.
“I am really pleased that I have been stepping up because I have been performing well with the Youth Team,” said Gradi.
“I have been doing well, leading the side and we have been winning so I think I deserve to be playing with the Under-21s.
“I think I need to take my performances from the Youth Team and take them up to the Under-21s.
“It gives the Youth Team hope that if you play well and so well you will get a chance.
“It is not just the second-years because Kyjuon Marsh-Brown is a first-year and he has come in and done really well.
“That gives hope for the first-years and gives everybody something to work for.
“We found the Youth Team game on Saturday really easy because we are such a team.
“We played well and we could take that confidence anywhere.
“We came to the Under-21s game and hoped to be as good as we were for the Under-18s game.
“We want to keep working hard until we find the Under-21s easy.
“Once we do that we want the chance to push on to the first-team which is the ultimate goal.”
Gradi was speaking after the Development Squad’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
The win, secured with a second-half goal from Jermaine Udumaga, was The Bees fourth in five matches.
It was not the greatest of performances from Lee Carsley’s side but Gradi was pleased to come away with the win in very difficult conditions.
“I am pleased with today’s game,” said Gradi.
“It is good to keep a clean sheet as that shows the progress we are making and it is always nice to win.
“Overall we are not really happy with the performance because we think that we are a better team than that.
“We want to be a team that performs well and wins games.
“I am pleased with the win but we would like a better performance next time.
“First-half we were good but in the second-half the structure of our defence meant we were a bit too open and we have to work on that.
“It was a bit too easy to play through us and I think in possession we have to be more careful.
“I think the pitch played a part as did the conditions but we need to take care.
“It was awkward to make clearances and the ball was skidding but you have to react.
“You need to be on the front foot at all time.
“We are a team that likes to play out and playing out can be difficult sometimes.”
Playing behind Gradi was experienced goalkeeper Richard Lee who was called upon to make two crucial saves to keep Ipswich Town out.
Gradi said it was a great reassurance having Richard behind him and knowing the experienced stopper was there enabled him to play his natural game.
“Richard was there when we needed him and he made two really good saves,” said Gradi.
“He didn’t have to do much today but it is always good to know that when you need him he will be there for you.
“Having Richard in the team helps with confidence because I know that I can do my thing.
“I can express myself and if I make any mistakes, which I don’t want to make, I trust in Richard behind me and he trusts in me.”