Manager Alan Lee believes there is plenty for his young Ipswich Town players to learn from after their FA Youth Cup exit at the hands of Blackpool.
Two first-half goals ultimately proved costly for the Blues, who had long periods of possession and played the ball around nicely without ever truly threatening to find the net.
Tristan Nydam, who has made 14 first team appearances this season, ran the game from the middle of midfield and was singled out by Lee for praise, but the former striker was disappointed to see his side bow out of the competition.
“I’m very disappointed but Blackpool absolutely, thoroughly deserved it,” he said.
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“Our boys didn’t really give a good account of ourselves or play as well as we could, so it’s well done to Blackpool and we wish them all the best. I think they have a good opportunity to go and get in the final.
“Conceding early didn’t help, it was the worst thing that could have happened and our lads have to learn you have to win the fight first. We went in half cut in the first few minutes, missed a challenge and the ball is in the back of the net and that’s disappointing, how we conceded those two goals.
“Second half, we might have had loads of possession but I never thought we were going to score.
“I hope our lads learn from it. We have been playing well recently and training well and getting better but now the challenge is, ‘do they fold or do they use what is probably a burning disappointment as something powerful to get better.
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“With the exception of Tristan I don’t think we have many play as well as we could. We are extremely grateful (to Mick McCarthy for allowing him to play) I thought he was the best player on the pitch.
“That doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be professional footballers but if they don’t learn from tonight it’s probably a bad sign.”
The Under 18s return to action on Saturday morning with a clash against Colchester United at Playford Road.
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