Keanes out to make mark

Has it been a big step up from playing in the youth team last season?
Michael: Definitely. The pace of the game is a lot quicker and the players are much stronger. But it also brings out the best in you. Playing with better players, you have to make yourself do better to deal with that.

Has playing against a lot of experienced players at Reserves level been a test?
Will: It's always good competing against Premier League players because that's the level we're trying to get to. When you see top players who play on the opposite team, it's always positive because it ensures we have to play better to rise to the challenge.
Michael: It's good for us to be playing against experienced players because we know what to expect if we suddenly get thrown into the first-team.

The FA Youth Cup last year is still in everybody's minds. You were both heavily involved...
Michael: Yes, I played full-back and we had a great run. There were a lot of tough games - like West Ham away and Liverpool away - but we had a great Academy team last year and came through it.

The 4-0 semi-final win against Chelsea must have been particularly memorable...
Will: It was. It was the first time the fans chanted my name so it was a great feeling. Obviously winning and getting to the final was the main thing, but it was nice to get a hat-trick as well.

So many of those lads are now trying to break through. Is that a good thing?
Michael: There's competition for places but it's good competition. We all get on really well. Training is dead intense, with everybody trying their best to get into the team. That's the way it's got to be if you want to improve.