Match day 1 and everyone had their game faces on. The day started off as normal with breakfast and then a brief training session going over shape and positioning work.

On Sunday we reached the end of our first week and all that the lads could think about was the forthcoming matches. This day was all about moving out of the hotel into the KNVB complex where would be spending the rest of the week.

Day 5 – This day was by far the hardest day of them all, but one of the most enjoyable days we have had as a team. A fair bit of fitness was involved which is never a good thing!

Day 3 of the Tour begins with another session by the one and only Jean Paul. This was a more relaxed session with a few games such as head tennis and running races.

It was an early start for the boys in red. Heathrow was the first destination on the way to Amsterdam. We arrived at the airport with time to spare, boarded the plane smoothly and were all very excited to be on our way.

Well we have come to the end of another season and just like the first team, my season has been very up and down.

On Wednesday we had a go at our Level 2 Coaching Certificate. With the season being pretty much over it’s prime time for getting stuck in to this and learning how to think and act as a coach.

I still can’t believe how quick this season has flown by. During the first few weeks of the season it feels as though it will last forever especially when you’re doing pre-season work but as soon as the games start the season just seems to gather pace.

To say I was a bit surprised at playing in the Reserve game against Crawley last week is a bit of an understatement. We report in for training at 8.45am every day, and we came in no different on Thursday.

This week in training we have been lucky enough to work with Assistant Manager Dougie Freedman and former Palace defender Tony Popovic, as they are both currently doing their coaching badges.

The last two weeks have been really busy for me as we’ve had loads of games along with the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup.

It has been a while since I have written a blog and being honest it’s because I have been bitterly disappointed about a few things concerning me and my career. A small break from the blogs has done me good and I am looking forward to writing more for the remainder of the season.

Sorry for the delay in posting my latest blog, it’s been a hectic few weeks with us doing well in the Youth Cup alongside balancing our Academy fixtures, training and educational commitments.

Apologies for the delay in getting my latest blog up but the week of the youth cup was absolutely manic!

On Saturday we continued our excellent form with another win, this time away to Portsmouth. We should have beaten them earlier in the season at home so we were desperate to get one over them this time.

The last fortnight has seen us working towards undoubtedly our biggest game of the season which will take place on Thursday night at St James’ Park, I am of course referring to our FA Youth Cup Quarter Final against Crystal Palace.

Last week turned out to be somewhat of an anti-climax with our Youth cup game away to Hull being called off. We had prepared really well and everything was put in place for us to go and get a positive result.

Last week the focus was very much on preparation for our trip to Upton Park to play against West Ham United in the Youth Cup. Monday was spent looking at the importance of keeping possession and maintaining a solid shape when trying to win the ball back.

There is no getting away from what was announced at the Club last week. My phone didn’t stop all Tuesday night as friends and family tried to find out what was going on and to check if the administration would be affecting me.

With our current coach Kenny unavailable following surgery, Willie (Assistant Academy Manager) took us for training and the week started with the agonising Bleep Test!

Last Monday Morning I arrived at the training ground to be greeted with the news that I was to be training with the reserve team.

Unfortunately our league game away to Norwich City on the weekend got called off again due to a frozen pitch. On the Thursday afternoon they told us that the game was 90% likely to go ahead, so to find out on Friday morning that the game was off was very disappointing. It seems like we haven’t had a proper competitive match in a long time and with our youth cup game just around the corner, it’s not ideal preparation.

After finding out our league game against Southampton at home was called off Gary Issott managed to arrange another game for us instead against Leyton Orient on Saturday morning.

As I alluded to in my last blog the first part of last week was very much orientated to our FA Youth Cup tie at Reading.

Back in last Monday training proved to be quite tough because unlike the First team the Academy lads like myself are given time off over Christmas and the New Year.