Second year scholar Akwasi Kwateng has said that he is comfortable playing in any position for Nick Harrison’s Preston North End U18 team.
Kwateng, who has been playing as a centre-back so far this season, put in a superb display in defence as the Lilywhites beat York City 1-0 at home in the Youth Alliance Cup at the end of August.
On that result, the North End man said: “I thought the team played well but we got a bit sloppy and a bit too complacent at times. We were rushing to score towards the end because we hadn’t scored already, and because of that we panicked a bit.
“Overall though, we played well as a team and it was a good performance. We deserved to win, we played much better than York did and were the better team.”
Kwateng also added some thoughts on his displays at centre-back, and how he was pleased with his progress in terms of his aerial qualities: “I think I’ve done my job today and what the manager has asked me to do. My centre-back partnership with Lewis Fensome is good, we trust each other, defend and cover for each other and we’re friends off the pitch, too.”
“I’ve been working on my heading ability and getting across my man to get on the end of the ball.”
Despite performing well at centre-back this term, Kwateng was actually playing in a more advanced role towards the end of last season, as he explained his versatility: “I feel comfortable playing anywhere really – I played everywhere last season so I’m more than comfortable at centre-back.