Adian Manning and Harry Brooke have been regulars in the U21s midfield this season and have established a good rapport across the middle of the park. 

In 2024, the U21s have switched to a more expansive 4-2-2-2 shape, which has differed from the first half of the season where they generally played in a 3-4-3 formation.

One of the main drivers for this formation change is a change in personnel. Emmanuel Adegboyega was the nucleus of the back-three back, with the aggressive centre-back playing in two different positions, in and out of possession. But with Adegboyega rightfully heading out on loan, it left them short of central defenders, with Waylon Renecke, Charlie Wilson, and Marcel McIntosh being the only three options. 

However, the midfield dynamic has been similar across the season with Manning and Brooke being partnered with Brazilian Pedro Lima, with the latter playing in more advanced areas of late. This has allowed Manning and Brooke to familiarise themselves with each other?s game and build chemistry with one another. 
One big similarity in their respective games as of late, is their willingness to back up a press. The U21s tend to be proactive out of possession, with the development team wanting to press high at any given opportunity. They attempted to trap the opposition on the flanks, intending to steal the ball back high in the opposition’s defensive areas.

Despite the U21s pressing as a unified group, there are occasions when oppositi...