Steve Hunter, 27th Jan 2010
LiverpoolFC.tv
John McMahon believes his young side are in for a strern test when he takes his reserve side to Ashton Town tonight in the Liverpool Senior Cup quarter-final tonight.
The match takes place at the Edge Green Street Ground in Ashton in Makerfield at 7.45pm. The match has to be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties if necessary.
"We are looking forward to the game and it will be a different environment and a test for the players," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We do need games and it's a good chance for some of the younger lads to play.
"We are taking them out of their usual comfort zone and it's a good chance for them to show some character.
"It will be like a cup final for Ashton Town and so it should be. It's going to be a tough game and it will be a good test for the players physically.
"They will certainly not fall over lightly and make it easy for us so we will need to go there with a strong mental attitude as well."
With the Barclays Premier Reserve League North being restricted to an 18-game season McMahon claims the situation needs addressing because young players are not getting enough games to show what they are capapble of.
"The league format does need looking at," he said.
"The players need to be match fit and we can only do that by playing more matches.
"We are not playing as many games as we should be playing at the moment. From my point of view this needs addressing.
"That's why it's good for us to play in the Liverpool Senior Cup because we can play a competitive game and hopefully continue to progress."
Last week's 3-3 draw with Manchester City saw the eight-game winning streak come to an end but McMahon admits there has been a lot to be pleased about so far.
"Performances are getting better and we were just unfortunate that the break came when it did in November which was our last game of the year," he added.
"Hopefully we can continue that good form and the players can continue to progress."
LiverpoolFC.tv
John McMahon believes his young side are in for a strern test when he takes his reserve side to Ashton Town tonight in the Liverpool Senior Cup quarter-final tonight.
The match takes place at the Edge Green Street Ground in Ashton in Makerfield at 7.45pm. The match has to be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties if necessary.
"We are looking forward to the game and it will be a different environment and a test for the players," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We do need games and it's a good chance for some of the younger lads to play.
"We are taking them out of their usual comfort zone and it's a good chance for them to show some character.
"It will be like a cup final for Ashton Town and so it should be. It's going to be a tough game and it will be a good test for the players physically.
"They will certainly not fall over lightly and make it easy for us so we will need to go there with a strong mental attitude as well."
With the Barclays Premier Reserve League North being restricted to an 18-game season McMahon claims the situation needs addressing because young players are not getting enough games to show what they are capapble of.
"The league format does need looking at," he said.
"The players need to be match fit and we can only do that by playing more matches.
"We are not playing as many games as we should be playing at the moment. From my point of view this needs addressing.
"That's why it's good for us to play in the Liverpool Senior Cup because we can play a competitive game and hopefully continue to progress."
Last week's 3-3 draw with Manchester City saw the eight-game winning streak come to an end but McMahon admits there has been a lot to be pleased about so far.
"Performances are getting better and we were just unfortunate that the break came when it did in November which was our last game of the year," he added.
"Hopefully we can continue that good form and the players can continue to progress."
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