Jason Farndon looks ahead to the game, read more about the 18s' run of form, team news and ticket details for the Banks's tonight...
Coventry City Under-18s start their FA Youth Cup run with a game against Walsall in the first round this evening.
The Sky Blues will look to emulate last season’s run in the competition, where they beat Peterborough Northern Star, Rochdale and Bournemouth on the way to facing Manchester City at their brand new academy campus.
Here is a preview of tonight’s game for Jason Farndon’s men – get down to Walsall to support them if you can!
RECENT FORM: The Sky Blues head into the game unbeaten in the last six, winning five of those games.
An impressive 5-1 win over a strong Birmingham City side has helped keep that form going as City head into the tie full of confidence.
Coach Farndon said: "Obviously, it is always good to win a local derby as all the players know each other from being around the local scene so they'll gain plenty of confidence from it.
"We've now got another local derby tonight against Walsall in the FA Youth Cup and I'm sure the players are going to be really fired up for the game."
TEAM NEWS: Striker Bassala Sambou is set to start after he scored an impressive four goals in that 5-1 win over the Blues at Wast Hills.
Farndon added of Sambou’s performance: "Bassala probably doesn't get enough goals but that's because he works so hard for the team all around the pitch and probably isn't selfish enough sometimes.
"He'll very often be caught out of position trying to win the ball back for the team and sometimes every striker needs to be a little bit more selfish.
"He showed his ability on Saturday with his four goals and it will also help him believe he can turn in goal-scoring performances like that. It's not been a surprise really.”
Kyle Finn also chipped in with a goal at Birmingham, taking his tally to five for the campaign - second highest goalscorer behind Sambou.
The Under-18s have been a ‘young’ side throughout the campaign, meaning they have regularly played with the majority of first-year apprentices. They ended the weekend’s win over Birmingham with nine first-
year scholars on the pitch.
TICKET DETAILS: The game will take place at the Banks’s Stadium tonight with kick-off at 7pm. Tickets are £5 for Adults and £3 for concessions on the gate.
HOW TO GET THERE: WS1 4SA
It’s only a short journey up the M6. Leave the M6 at Junction 7 and take the A34 towards Walsall (beware though of speed cameras on this stretch of dual carriageway).