[10 MAY 00] COVENTRY CITY NEWS
Youth Team Fired Up For Gunners
Coventry
City's academy coach George Mackie has spoken of his admiration for
Arsenal ahead of tomorrow's FA Youth Cup final second leg.
The
City youngsters trail by 3-1 after the Highfield Road tie last week,
and Mackie believes that despite the Gunner's ability the Sky Blues
could still snatch victory.
He
said:
"I
think the whole club have a great work ethic now at Arsenal, and
certainly that is carried through to the youngsters by Don Howe.
"Arsenal
will always have the choice of the best kids because of their high
profile and we are, to a certain extent, trying to emulate that.
"We've
got a bit to go to reach that profile but the academy system is
working very well at the moment."
And
although Mackie will be concentrating on his own side, he has already
recognised who will be the key figures for Arsenal.
He
said:
"People
will concentrate on Jay Boothyroyd because he got a couple of
crosses in and he looked good in the first game, but for me their
centre-back John Halls was the outstanding player on the pitch.
"We
won't pick out individuals though, we will have our own game plan
and we will concentrate on that because we are very confident of
getting a result down there."
Mackie
has hailed the spirit of the Coventry youngsters after watching the
way they reacted to their second successive year of facing a first leg
home beating in the final.
He
said:
"We
had to pick them up a wee bit but to be fair they are a very buoyant
bunch and having gone through what they did last year they don't see
this as a significant defeat.
"For
the second leg they are still happy about what they are doing and
are confident going into the tie.
"The
goal we scored at the end was very significant and getting that has
given the boys a real lift.
"Both
last year and this our results and performances away from home have
been better and we are hoping that will also be the case on
Friday."
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