Whilst Premier League 2 provides Academy players with the opportunity to develop and learn their craft by testing themselves against their own peer group, the League Trophy offers up an entirely different experience.
And Under 23 left back Emmanuel Longelo is relishing the prospect of testing himself against senior opposition in a competitive tonight, when West Ham United travel to Portman Road to take on the Ipswich Town first team.The 20-year-old defender has already gained experience in the competition last season, which he feels put him on the right track in terms of his own progression.
And having signed a new contract at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, Longelo is determined to make his mark on the team having already courted praise for his Under 23 league performances so far.
“It’s a good competition because you get to gain experience playing against men,” Longelo told whufc.com.
“They play in the Football League and have stuff like win bonuses to play for. It’s a bonus in our fixtures for us to put ourselves up against them, and see if we’re ready for that type of task in the future.
“We all want to be playing men’s football one day. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough, so that’s what we want to see on Tuesday.”
West Ham fought out a valiant 2-2 draw with Leeds at the weekend and the east Londoners were on the front foot for much of the game.
“We gave it everything against Leeds,” he admitted. “Right from the start I thought we were very intense.
“It’s something we’d been working on in training all week and it was good to put it into practice in the game – it worked well for us.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get the goal in the first half, but it was a good start, gave us something to build on and was something our manager was pleased with as well.
“We were playing a top side in Leeds. I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished in the top few teams because they work really hard and are a very physical and fit team, but we gave them a good battle.
“We’re just happy to be back together as a team. A few of the guys went away on international break and it’s been good to get them back in.
“Everyone just wants to play and show how good we are as individuals and as a team too.”
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