Youth cup: all still to do

Our Under 18s face their biggest game of the season tomorrow night as Manchester United head to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of our FA Youth Cup semi-final, a game which can be seen live and exclusive on Chelsea TV, and while the Blues, fresh from a 2-1 win at Old Trafford three weeks ago, have a slight advantage, Adi Viveash has called on his more-experienced players to lead by example. Islam Feruz scored the decisive goal in the first leg, after James Wilson had cancelled out Amin Affane's deserved opener for the Blues, but our manager, although pleased with his side's performance at a ground where we were beaten 4-0 at the same stage of last season's competition, believes there is plenty of life left in the tie yet. 'Any time you go and win a game at Old Trafford against Manchester United you're pleased, but every game's different and the second leg will be as well,' he told the official Chelsea website. 'We're just approaching it as another game, I made a specific point that the two games were different in the build-up to the last one, so we're just focusing on this game and if we do our jobs, hopefully we'll have a right good go. 'Obviously they are a good side, they won it last year and are now in the semi-finals again, very similar to us, both academies deserve a lot of credit for the last few years in the competition. We've played them a lot over the last five years which is quite interesting, but I only focus on what I've got in my dressing room and I look around and see a lot of top young players.' To say it's been a dramatic campaign thus far would be something of an understatement; penalty shoot-outs, stunning comebacks and late goals have certainly seen the character and desire among our young players rise to the fore when it mattered most, and with tickets for the match selling out in a matter of days, the pressure looks set to intensify . However, the big occasions require big characters; players who can cope well under pressure, and Viveash insists the demands of playing in front of such large crowds can dictate whether or not players sink or swim, not just on the night, but in terms of their long-term aspirations. 'For their development it's vital; you can play as many games as you like here at Cobham in front of 50 people, or a friendly in front of 200 fans, but when you play in front of thousands, like they did at Old Trafford, and like they will at the Bridge, it's making those decisions when people's eyes are on you,' he said. 'The people that can stay calm and manage their emotions as well as the expectation levels, and still produce moments of quality, that defines where people end up in their careers and whether they will end up making a career out of the game. If you're going to play for Chelsea or any first team where points become a must, it's difficult. 'We deserve to be in the semi-final, it's been an interesting campaign with a lot of high moments. The players' ability to work themselves out of seemingly irretrievable situations is testament to the strength of the group. They work tremendously hard for each other and, come Friday, they will definitely give everything they've got to reach the final.' Three of the side which are expected to start the game tomorrow night experienced the disappointment of last season's elimination[Jamal Blackman, Todd Kane and Nathaniel Chalobah] and they, more than anybody, will be desperate to ensure there is no repeat. Viveash, in his first year as the Blues youth team manager, is well aware of what a privileged role he has at the club, working with some of the most promising emerging talents in the game on a daily basis. Leading his young side to a second final in three years would be a fantastic achievement for the former Reading and Walsall player but, modest to the last, he insists it will be a collective effort if we manage to overcome the current holders tomorrow night. 'I look around our dressing room and I see international captains, players who have played for their countriesand players that have won reserve team titles, so the game won't faze them,' he argued. 'I'll just concentrate on doing my job, which is preparing us as best I can; tactically we will be ready and it's then up to the lads to take it on and execute it. It's an interesting concept to see them play at the Bridge and they are all looking forward to it, preparations have gone very well this week. 'I was fortunate enough to play and I've won promotions and titles, so I know what it takes to be a winner. I would be most pleased for the staff I work with; people like Neil Bath, who has given me so much support since I've been at the club, Hayley in the offices, Sam Page, a top young analyst, Elliott Axtell, the conditioner, Mark Beeney, who's been there and done it, Stuart Vaughan the physio, Eric the kitman and Joe Edwards, our Under 16s coach who's developing well, they are the people I would be most pleased for.'