Calderon feeling positive after last-gasp draw against Leicester

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Ronnie Gorman's double extended the unbeaten start of our men's under-18s.

Matt Bishop

2023-08-23T06:00:00Z

Inigo Calderon's team drew 2-2 with Leicester City on Saturday.

Inigo Calderon wants to see more from his under-18s side but was happy with their ‘desire and attitude’ after a hard-fought draw against Leicester on Saturday.

Calderon’s side twice came from behind against the Foxes to take a point, with Ronnie Gorman cancelling out Kirsten Otchere’s opener midway through the first-half, before the Albion midfielder levelled things up again in the 97th minute from the penalty spot after Yassine Toure had looked to have won it for Leicester 20 minutes from time.

“It was a fair result,” said Calderon. “I was happy that while we didn’t perform at our best, we found a way to get the point. We kept working and working even when it wasn’t our best day.

“Overall we can do much better – we didn’t attack or defend well enough – but the desire and attitude was there and we know what to do as a group to improve.

Ronnie Gorman scored a brace in the draw with Leicester at the weekend.

“We want to fix these things but I knew when I started that not everything would be spot on straight away, these things take time.”

Albion now have four points from their first two matches of the season following the thrilling 4-3 win against West Brom on the opening day, and Calderon thinks his team are beginning to believe in his style of play.

“The players are starting to see as soon as we stick to our plans and do what we need to do, we are getting good rewards in terms of chances and goals.

“We need them to believe the way we want to play is the best way. It’s hard to convince people if they can’t see ideas working, but our goals and good moments are showing we are starting to work well. That’s really important.

Inigo Calderon returned to Albion in June 2023.

“Of course, we would like to control more of the game. That might not mean we score three or four goals every game but we will be on top and get good results.

“Last year we conceded too many, so we want to get a grip of that and our opening two matches have been too open with a lot of chance for both teams. We are working on gaining more control.

“We have Southampton up next but our mentality never changes. My idea is to always focus, fix the things we can do better and build on what we are doing well, regardless of the opposition.

“Southampton are a good side, they play really good football and they have been unlucky to lose their first two matches. They will be the best team we have faced so far but we will be ready.”