• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Oxford United academy coach reacts to FA Youth Cup win against Leeds

Byoxfordnewspaper

Feb 16, 2023

PABLO Haysham is excited by the potential and character in the Oxford United Under-18 side after they progressed to the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup.

A 3-0 victory over Leeds United at the Kassam Stadium last night ensured the U’s will take on Manchester City in the last eight.

Academy coach Haysham was full of praise after a special night for the club at Grenoble Road.

Read the match report here

He said: “The boys were fantastic, they put so much into it and going into the game, we knew that was going to have to be the case.

“The players have got a lot of potential, and if they work hard and understand that professionalism, they can try and push to do something within football.

“The long-term journey will look very different for all the players in that changing room.

“Wherever their careers or lives take them, they’ll look back on nights like this and remember it was something special.”

Haysham singled out skipper George Franklin for his leadership on and off the pitch.

“We’ve got some fantastic characters in there, first and foremost the captain George Franklin,” said Haysham.

“His character is something a little bit special for such a young man, he leads the group brilliantly and has such maturity.

“He’s a fantastic player but he also brings something that I don’t think many 18-year-olds in the country have – something like that in their character.”

Next up for United is a trip to Man City in the quarter finals, and while it is set to be a memorable occasion for the club, progress to the last four will still be the target.

“The Youth Cup is about memories – when people talk about the Youth Cup in 10 or 20 years, they’ll have these memories,” said Haysham.

“Playing against these teams, particularly Man City, they’ll remember forever.

“That’s a big part of this process, the memories when you come out at the other end of it.

“It’ll certainly be a special one, we’ll look forward to it and ultimately we’ll try and get a result there.”