The Under-18s kick off their FA Youth Cup campaign against Cheltenham Town on Wednesday as they look to build on last season’s semi-final efforts, where they eventually went down to Manchester City.
Leicester City v Cheltenham Town
FA Youth Cup third round
King Power Stadium
7pm Wednesday 16 December 2015
The youngsters have been able to train with the first team and Peake explained that it has had a positive effect on the side.
“It’s a great feeling around the club at the moment,” he said.
“This season has gone as well as anyone could possibly have hoped for and it’s fantastic for everyone at the club.
“We have been down and met with some of the first team and we were even able to train with some of them during the international breaks.
“They needed some opposition but it was great for the lads to go up against some of the first team. You had guys like Danny Drinkwater, Robert Huth and Nathan Dyer.
“So for the lads just out of school that was pretty special. They managed to win one out of six games but generally they gave a good account of themselves.
“Hopefully the experience of playing with those guys will have a good effect on them.”
Leicester made a strong start to the season in the Under-18 Premier League, and at one point emulated their senior counterparts in topping the table.
They have gone off the boil a little in recent weeks with five defeats in six league games and Peake admits their depth has been tested.
In Cheltenham they face a side that have made impressive progress through the FA Youth Cup to date, seeing off Swindon Town and Barnet in the last two rounds – and recording an incredible 17-0 win at Oldland Abbotonians in the first round qualifying back in September.
However, Peake is optimistic that his side can see off the young Robins and use this competition as a springboard to reverse their recent fortunes.
“We made a strong start to the season but have found it hard for the last four or five games," he added. "It’s happened for one or two different reasons, we’re a bit short of back-up players in some positions.
“But at this level that’s how it is and everyone has to deal with the same thing. It’s giving some of the younger guys an opportunity, and that’s very important as well, even if the results haven’t quite been there.
“The FA Youth Cup is really important for us and last year was a great run. We have some of the players who were in the team last year when we went on that run, but of course there’s been quite a lot of turnover.
“It’s a great opportunity against Cheltenham. We’ve had a look at them and their previous FA Cup ties, against Barnet in the last round. We’ve prepared well though and hopefully we’ll be ready.”
