PL2 playoffs are the pinnacle, says Heskey | OneFootball

Elite Development Squad midfielder Jaden Heskey says advancing to the Premier League 2 playoffs was a key target for the team and the knockout games will be some of the most exciting fixtures for the squad.

The route to winning the playoff final will consist of four knockout stage games and having already featured in 19 out of 20 league games - starting in every match in the heart of City’s midfield – Heskey is hoping to continue playing a key role in our push for silverware.

“To come on from last season is great,” began Heskey.

“We had the aim to just improve on last season really and we knew that we could fight for one of the top places so to come out on top in the end is what we wanted and one of the targets that we set at the start of the season.

CITY TOP PL2

“Now we’re through to the playoffs they are the games that you want to be playing in where it means that little bit more.

“The whole season has meant something but when it’s knockout football they are the games you want to be playing in because of the high pressure and it shows if you’re ready to move on towards senior football.

“Everyone will be ready for the pressure.”

Heskey teed up Divin Mubama twice on Monday evening to help City see off the Magpies.

Since joining the Academy, Heskey began his journey at City up top, leading the scoring throughout the age groups.

But as he’s got older, his resilience, work rate and fantastic technical ability has seen Ben Wilkinson move Heskey into more of a box-to-box midfielder, where he has continued to thrive in blue and is excited to continue doing so.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to improve [assisting and finding space] on,” said Heskey when analysing his performance against Newcastle.

“But I’m also just always trying to improve my all-around game. When it comes to goals and assists I know that is an important thing in football and perhaps important if you’re trying to reach higher levels in football but it’s not the be-all and end all.

“But I’m glad I’m seeing improvement in it and it’s something I’m going to continue to focus on for the rest of the season.”