abstract
| - The 2011-12 Academy Under-18s season marked a change in management for the under-18s as Rodolfo Borrell, who was promoted to head coach of the reserves, was replaced by under-16s coach Mike Marsh. The season also marked the club's participation in the inaugural NextGen Series competition. Primarily involving reserve team players, some academy players were also drafted in to take part. The team performed admirably in the domestic season, however they were to be disappointed in the FA Youth Cup as they were knocked out at the first hurdle by Swansea. They did however maintain a strong title challenge in their League group, eventually placing third, falling just short of top two Blackburn and Manchester City. As with the 2010-11 season, the youth players were impressive in front of goal, only failing to net in one game all season. For the second season running, Adam Morgan top scored, this time with 13 goals. Coach Mike Marsh initially handed Joseph Rafferty the captain's armband, however in 2012 he switched the captaincy to Jordan Lussey, who saw out the season as skipper. Lussey was one of a number of youngsters to impress this season, along with the likes of Jack Dunn, Kristoffer Peterson, Jordon Ibe, Nacho, Yalany Baio and Ryan McLaughlin.
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