Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur Under-18

Martin Edgar, a Sporting Lecturer who works at Norwich City, gives The Fighting Cock a lowdown on the Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur Under-18 game, that ended 4-2 to Spurs.

Part of the Premier League’s Education programme that they offer to academy scholars means that those over their two years get a Level 2 FA Coaching badge, a NVQ Level 3 in Performance and Excellence and a BTEC Level 3 Sport qualification.

As part of my role as an FE + HE Sport Lecturer, I have been going into Norwich City training ground three times a week to teach the players a BTEC Level 3 Qualification in Sport for the last six years.

During this time and thanks to the fact I live only two minutes from the training centre, I have got to know the NCFC lads really well.

This the second time I have seen one of the Spurs Youth Teams perform. My first experience of the Spurs youth setup came when Barcelona visited White Hart Lane in the NextGen 1882 game.

Even though this was first against second in terms of league position, it was a very one-sided game. There was a clear gulf in class between the two, especially in terms of keeping possession. I was very impressed with the Tottenham outfit.

Spurs were 4-0 up by 60 minutes and totally dominant. Norwich managed to claw back two goals in the last 15 minutes, but the damage had been already done. Nathan Oduwa and William Miller were the standout performers against a Norwich team, who only featured three of the team that won the FA Youth Cup last season.

Spurs were comfortable in possession from the off, and the direct running of both wingers and full backs was Spurs’ main method of attack. Oduwa’s pace was a constant outlet on the break as Spurs used width to counter Norwich’s midfield diamond.

Little Will Miller was excellent in the number 10 role, finding pockets of space and feeding the wide men Oduwa and Anthony Georgiou. The combination of Kyle Walker-Peters and Oduwa down Spurs’ right caused Norwich repeated problems throughout the match, with Oduwa’s pace and trickery carving Norwich open again and again.

Spurs Team: McGee, Walker-Peters (Walkes 67), Carter-Vickers, Maghoma, Ogilvie, Lesniak, Onomah, Miller (Goddard 67), Oduwa, Akindayini, Georgiou (Harrison 53).

Goals: Maghoma, Georgiou, Oduwa (2)

MOM: Oduwa

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