Youth Team midfield player James Ferry said the young Brentford team heading abroad for a prestigious friendly were “buzzing” as they prepared for the trip.
A Team from Brentford’s Category Two Football Academy will be heading to The Netherlands tomorrow, Monday October 28.
The Bees have organised an Under-17 friendly against a team from Alkmaar Zaanstreek, better known as AZ Alkmaar.
The Brentford side will be largely made up of the players that won the Junior tournament at the prestigious Milk Cup youth tournament in Northern Ireland last year.
James was captain of that team and said it was brilliant for the Club’s young players.
“We are all really looking forward to going off to Holland to play a quality side like AZ,” said the midfielder, speaking to Bees Player last week.
“It is going to be a good test for us as they are in the top league in Holland.
“They will be a good side and we will enjoy the experience.
“Going on tour is something that everybody looks forward to especially when it is going to play a European side like AZ.
“On the pitch it is going to be tough but I think we will stand up to it.
“We have got a good side going and we have had success before in the Milk Cup so I think we will do well.
“I think we are a top side when it comes to players born in 1997 and I think we will do ourselves justice over there.
“I’m expecting a passing game with not many long balls.
“I am expecting a technical game which will suit what the philosophy of the Academy is and we will definitely stand up to it
“It’s brilliant that Brentford are able to attract side like this because not many clubs are.
“It is great for the academy that the boys get to go off and play a team abroad.
“People are buzzing and getting ready for going over there.”
Brentford will fly out to Amsterdam and then travel north to Alkmaar.
They will play an Under-17 friendly game the following day, Tuesday October 29, before flying back to London.
The Brentford Lifeline Society has agreed to cover the majority of the costs of the trip to enable it to take place.
AZ have a reputation as one of the best clubs for developing young talent in The Netherlands and Aston Villa central defender Ron Vlaar is probably the best known product of that youth system.
Anthony Hayes, Head Coach of the Under-17 side, told Bees Player the travelling squad will consist of first year scholars and players from the Under-16 squad.
He said it would be interesting to see how young Brentford players match up to their Dutch counterparts.
“We haven’t really focussed on them,” he said.
“We have prepared slightly differently for a normal Youth Team game, especially for the Under 16s who are coming on the trip, so it will be new for them.
“We have done a lot of tactical work but mainly based on ourselves.
“The detail that we give the players will be a lot more than they are used to but we haven’t really focussed on AZ Alkmaar.
“We know that they will probably play a 4-3-3 and look to pass the football.
“The most interesting thing from our point of view and a coach’s point of view will be the technical level.
“How far or how close are we from AZ’s technical level?
“That is something that we will find out on the day.
“The scholars are really looking forward to this trip it is like a Champions League game for them.
“They are really looking forward to flying over to Holland and playing a top European club who are renowned for producing Academy players like Ron Vlaar at Aston Villa.
“For the Under 16’s it is similar to the Milk Cup experience.
“They are looking forward to playing in with the first year scholars.
“They trained with each other all year last year so it is an exciting time for them to be involved in such a prestigious fixture.”
Full coverage of the trip to Alkmaar will be on www.brentfordfc.co.ukand Bees Player starting tomorrow.
Bees Player subscribers can see an interview with James Ferry here and an interview with Anthony Hayes here.