Ruth: We've overcome some challenges to make play-offs

Under-21s finished the regular season in eighth but don't know yet if that will be enough to secure home advantage in the play-offs.

Nick Szczepanik

2026-04-04T10:45+01:00

Shannon Ruth and his players must wait to see who they will face in the PL2 end-of-season play-offs. 📷James Boardman

Albion under-21 head coach Shannon Ruth hopes that his squad has done enough to earn a home game in the first round of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

But after the 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa in their final regular-season fixture on Friday, he must now wait until other clubs have completed their games to discover who Albion, currently eighth in the standings, will face and where.

Reflecting on Friday’s game, Ruth said: “Our decision-making or our detail wasn't quite where it needed to be when we did get into good areas. Normally we're quite dangerous in the final third with the wide players we have, the full-backs we have, the energy they show.

“So we probably weren't at our best. But I was pleased with the maturity of the group because it's a really good point. Even when you're not having the best day, don't lose the game. They were tough conditions too, extremely windy.

Zane Albarus returned after injury in the goalless draw against Aston Villa. 📷James Boardman

“Now we have to wait for Villa and others to finish their games to see who we've got. We're sitting in a home draw place at the moment – ninth and below is an away draw.

“But we're really pleased with our season's work. We've had some really good performances but we've also had to overcome some challenges.

"We were pleased with Josh Robertson’s work for 60 minutes today coming back from injury, and Zane Albarus got 30 minutes. He suffered a hamstring injury back in November, so we've got players coming back into the group and hopefully that timing works well for us. We’re looking forward to the play-offs.”

Robertson had Albion’s best effort on goal, a fizzing low shot that forced a good save from Villa goalkeeper James Wright.

“I think it's been a really good season because we've had a lot of young players playing,” the 20-year-old midfield player said.

“They've developed as people and as players on the pitch. For me, I've liked the role of being one of the older players and being a leader. Ooverall it's been really good for us as a team.”