FARRELL PLEASED WITH U21S’ EFFORTS IN ‘TOUGH’ WEEK

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Manager reviews pre-season camp in Poland

2025-07-23T11:44:05.652Z

FARRELL PLEASED WITH U21S’ EFFORTS IN ‘TOUGH’ WEEK

Manager reviews pre-season camp in Poland

2025-07-23T11:44:05.652Z

Manager reviews pre-season camp in Poland

Speaking at the end of the Academy’s pre-season training camp in Opalencia, Poland, U21s Manager Andy Farrell reflected positively on the experience for himself and his players.

It was the second year running that the Club has been to Hotel Remes, and Farrell emphasised the physical benefits of playing and training out there.

“It’s been a tough week for them,” he said.

“We played on Tuesday and one or two have had the odd issue but, in general, I think the lads have got a lot out of it.

“The game was against really good opposition, and they probably struggled a little bit in the first half, but they got a better idea of it in the second half – particularly the pressing side of the game.

“They started to react a bit earlier and quicker and made it a lot harder for the opposition.

“It’s pre-season, so it’s about working and running hard. The out of possession pressing dictates that you’ve got to be better with the ball, so we’ve had some good play.

“That develops your game too – if it was all passive, we probably wouldn’t move forward that quickly.

“The boys have bought into the isolated running that we’ve done and have pushed each other, as well as getting round each other when one or two have been struggling.

“It’s a lot about supporting the ball and the principles of the game. If you take a snapshot of certain situations within a game, you generally find that it’s the same players who fall around the ball.”

FARRELL PLEASED WITH U21S’ EFFORTS IN ‘TOUGH’ WEEK - Image 1

Several players have signed their first professional contracts since the end of the 2024/25 season, meaning they’ve now stepped up to the U21s squad on a permanent basis.

It’s a move that takes some getting used to, and Farrell continued by explaining the effect it can have on a player.

“I think it’s always the same really - some of them take the bull by the horns and are on it already,” he said.

“One or two are always going to be struggling with the change of pace, because there is a difference between the U18s and the U21s.

“When I look at the sessions throughout the week, I think they’ve improved as the week’s gone on.

“They’ve got more involved, getting on the ball more, making more and better decisions, and are playing quicker and pressing harder.

“Hopefully that’s something that we can set up within training and bring out of them more.”

A key part of any trip away is bonding, whether that be between players, staff, or a mixture of both.

“It’s been good for me, Tony (Philliskirk – U18s Manager), Matt (Walsh – U18s Assistant Manager), and Jimmy (Hunter - Head of Academy Coaching), who’s new to the club,” Farrell said.

FARRELL PLEASED WITH U21S’ EFFORTS IN ‘TOUGH’ WEEK - Image 2

“We had our game on a different day to the U18s, so we’ve had the opportunity to watch as a group and have a look what’s behind the U21s.

“Hopefully we get the opportunity to bring those younger players into the U21s a little bit more.

"We’d like a few of the U21s to go out on loan, so the U18s can step up and that in turns brings the U16s up too.

“Players coming away together and being around each other gives them the opportunity to get to know each other.

“That’s great for them, as that makes them feel more comfortable in the environment.”

To finish, Farrell looked ahead to the upcoming PL2 season which is now just over three weeks away.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he explained.

“As a player, I’d love to be in their position of playing against the top players, not just in this country but globally, and pitching yourself against them to see what you can do.

“Most players will have a flaw or a problem at some stage - you’ve got to find that chink in their armour to try and get yourself in and on top of the game.

“As a midfield player I always found my strength was my running. Our boys have their strengths too, and they’ve got to try and impose that on their opponents.”