"We're going along at where we would normally be in terms of points from the games we've played," reflects Ben Wilkinson, Manchester City's under-18s head coach, suggesting all is going to plan in the academy ahead of the business end of the campaign.
Wilkinson has overseen City win the under-18 Premier League for the last three seasons, reaching last year's FA Youth Cup semi-final and building on the 2020 Youth Cup win under Carlos Vicens.
At under-21 level, City have won the Premier League 2 for the last three seasons, and have seen a host of talented youngsters come through the ranks to break into the first team at the Etihad and elsewhere in Europe.
This season, however, things are different. City haven't particularly changed their form or momentum, but are facing a new challenge from a familiar rival.
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