This week we look at the Racing Club Youth team who are managed by Jason Pyott, with his coaches Mark Edwards, Ryan Woodward and Dan Handley.

Jason Pyott - This year has been a pleasure to manage the boys and with 17 of the 18 coming through the Future Pro Academy this allows the boys to train together 3 times a week. With the Same philosophy as the Academy the lads are learning to keep possession and play through the thirds.

I would like to start with a couple of games that gave us a great FA cup run. We had drawn Newcastle town from the premier league and after watching them play Sphinx in the 1st round we made a decision to play 4-5-1 and soak up the pressure and hit them on the counter. After taking an early lead it looked like we would go into the second half leading but on the 45th minute Newcastle equalised. It was a changing room with unhappy faces to which I asked why as you are playing one of the best teams in the Midlands and then I asked them the big question..do you want to go 3-5-2 or stay the same and to a man they said stay the same and this to me was a big step in their development to understand different dimensions to the game.

The second half started and we hit them on the counter twice in two minutes and now we are leading 3-1 and this is when Newcastle chucked more players up front which in my opinion hurt them as major chances fell to the wrong players and with some outstanding saves and defending the game ended 3-1 to Racing and into the hat we went.

Next round was Lichfield and this was another tough game as they had won 7 out of 8 in their league. We took the lead in this game and and half way through the first half one of the Lichfield players broke through and our keeper came out and was very brave as the Lichfield player decided to play out something from the WWE and two footed him and was shown a straight Red card. Second half and the 10 men had the possession and eventually equalised but then they made the decision to sit back and take the game to pens and this allowed Racing to attack non stop and with 1 minute to go we scored the winner.

Now one game away from the first round proper we were drawn away to Long Eaton. To just say we did not turn up would be an understatement, mistakes were made that cost Racing any chance of winning but Long Eaton were a very good side and ran out 4-1 winners.

We also had a good run in the league cup and went out in the last 16 to a strong Worcester city side on a very cold and foggy week night.

The league has been slow with the cup runs and weather and we have played only four games.

I would like to take the chance to thank a few people so far. Mark Edwards, Ryan Woodward, Dan Handley are a big part of the management team. Ryan and Dan are both at the Academy and we are giving young coaches a chance to coach at youth team level.

Ian Mitchell from the FA for referring and I must say at home we have had some fantastic officials this season.

Our sponsor Moore & Tibbits and the parents without their support the lads would not be where they are today.

We have a truly great Chairman in Gary and as we know behind every great man is a great women (Ruth) thank you both for the support.

The boys for turning up with the right mind set and last but not least my wife Carly for putting up with me when we lose.

I can’t wait to see what the second half of the season brings.

Bring it on

Have a happy new year

Jason