"A fresh challenge" - Carrick gearing up for Youth Cup tie

The Toon teenagers booked their spot in round four of the prestigious competition following a 3-2 away win at Charlton Athletic last month, recovering from a 2-1 deficit as Ben Parkinson's brace and Johnny Emerson's winner secured a memorable victory at The Valley.

Newcastle's youngsters have been rewarded with a home draw against Arsenal, managed by former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, at St. James' Park and Carrick - younger brother of former Manchester United and England international Michael - believes the squad are heading into the tie in a positive mood after a courageous display in round three.

The 37-year old, employed by the FA for 15 years as a coach developer before taking up the under-18s head coach role in August, told nufc.co.uk: "Preparations have been good and the lads are in a good place. We're really looking forward to the game and these are ones that we all want to be involved in and what the players need as part of their development.

"It was a really tough game (against Charlton) and we knew that going into it. There are different ways to win games and the lads found a way through good, precise attacking but also through really good character, togetherness and team spirit. 

"It's important to focus on the technical level of the group and the type of football we want to play but as important is being able to show that type of character that pulls you through when times are tough.

"One of the unique challenges the Youth Cup brings is a little bit more pressure and prestige and, with that, the biggest thing for me is seeing them be and express themselves, meeting their challenges head on. 

"It was a tough game against Charlton at their stadium and they all turned up. The Youth Cup games are big ones for the boys, and I expect us to do that again on Tuesday. In terms of their development, it's key that are able to turn up in these kinds of matches."

For many members of the under-18s squad, Tuesday's cup tie will arguably be one of the biggest games of their careers to date.

The two sides met earlier this season in the Premier League Cup, with the young Magpies coming from behind to secure a thrilling 4-2 home victory in September but Carrick remains aware of the divergent encounter he could face this time around.  

"It'll be a different game," Carrick added. "There may be some different players in the team but having played that game and played well that day, it certainly helps in terms of confidence and knowing we can perform.

"It's a fresh challenge. Arsenal are a really good team but so are we so we need to believe in ourselves and meet the challenge head on. We need to focus on ourselves and be the best version of ourselves.

"With that, it becomes a bit more challenging with a little more noise around it. We need to make sure we hit our highest level, that's the challenge, as Arsenal will throw up those challenges both individually and collectively." 

Newcastle's under-18s ventured to the fifth round of the competition last term, beating the likes of West Ham United and Colchester United, defeating the latter side in front of 1,279 spectators at St. James' Park.

A handful of current second-year scholars featured in the positive passage to the last 16, which Carrick believes can prove beneficial for the Class of 2023 in their bid to win a first Youth Cup title since 1985.

The Wallsend-born coach added: "Within the group, that experience the second-year scholars had last year will definitely help. This is another big experience for the boys.

"For some, it might be their first Youth Cup or second but the experiences can help but that's the whole point of it, to really accumulate these experiences for the lads to prepare them for the future.

"There will be different circumstances for different players in the group, but we believe in them and we'll go and do our best to try and come away with a positive result."