Under 18s manager Jon Brady wants his team to be competitive when they host Peterborough in their first EFL Youth Alliance League fixture of the campaign tomorrow.
Speaking at the squad’s final training session of pre-season on Friday morning, he said, "All we were trying to do was finish-off the touches we have done all pre-season.
"We’ve got a few out at the moment and we’re having to cope with that but in youth football that gives players an opportunity to shine.
"It’s a chance for some youngsters to come in and we might see some shining stars for the future.
"With us, it’s not all about the result, it’s about developing players and the group in the right way and results will come over time.
"It’s been a pre-season like none ever before; we’ve had to be adaptable and flexible.
"We’re really glad and appreciative to be training, playing and coaching, and I’m glad that the boys have got an outlet and are being proactive.
"Over the next few weeks, we’ll keep improving and we’ll get better and better and we’ll go into the game on Saturday trying to win it and give the best we can.
"There’s no pressure on the players to win the game, I just want them to go out and express themselves, enjoy it and be more competitive than we were two weeks ago."