Playmaker Marcus Browne cannot wait for tonight's final
With the countdown to the first leg of the U21’s final with Hull City, tonight under the lights at the Boleyn Ground, well and truly under way, highly rated playmaker Marcus Browne is relishing the “biggest game” of his blossoming career.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season so far, rising from an U18 regular to being named on the first team bench. Now, the avid Hammer is targeting silverware to cap off a momentous year.
Looking ahead to the final, Browne said: “Tonight is massive. There will be a lot of people to impress and you want to get your name out there and get people talking about you. We’ve been to first team games so we know how good it is. For us to play in front of that many people means a lot to us.
“We’re expecting and thinking we can win. This is a cup we want to win. We’ve come a long way and we don’t intend to lose in the final. It will be a massive occasion for everyone and hopefully everyone can enjoy it.
“It will be the biggest match of my career so far. Playing the final at the Boleyn Ground; there’s nothing more you can dream of, really. It’s a huge game.”
Browne has played an integral part in the Development Squad’s progression to the final, most notably netting in the 3-2 semi-final victory over Liverpool.
In total, Browne has scored three goals for the U21s this term as part of a number of impressive displays which have also caught Slaven Bilic’s eye.
The youngster has long been one of a number of Academy of Football graduates who regularly trains with the first team.
He continued: “It was an experience of a lifetime to be on the first team bench. Changing and training with them was good and I feel like I’m benefiting from that and becoming better. They’re always encouraging and they guide you through training.
“There is a lot of learning and things you take in every day. The main thing is learning new things and becoming the best you can be. It’s a massive Club and a Club that’s projecting forward. There are good things happening here.
“Both on and off the pitch, the Club has really helped my development. It matures you as a person and a footballer. You get a lot of life skills.”
With Browne clearly enjoying his time in the claret and blue, the club he has been at for almost ten years, the future is also looking bright.
The youngster, who name checks Dimitri Payet as one of the players he models his game on, finished by saying: “It’s inspiring coming in, and seeing all the posters on the walls, that’s the level you want to be at. At the moment, I look up to Payet a lot, as he’s a player I see myself being in the future. He’s one of the best.
“It’s inspirational for everyone at the Academy and everyone’s looking forward to the stadium move. Everyone’s hoping to play in it at some point. Moving over there will be great and hopefully we can play there one day soon.”
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season so far, rising from an U18 regular to being named on the first team bench. Now, the avid Hammer is targeting silverware to cap off a momentous year.
Looking ahead to the final, Browne said: “Tonight is massive. There will be a lot of people to impress and you want to get your name out there and get people talking about you. We’ve been to first team games so we know how good it is. For us to play in front of that many people means a lot to us.
“We’re expecting and thinking we can win. This is a cup we want to win. We’ve come a long way and we don’t intend to lose in the final. It will be a massive occasion for everyone and hopefully everyone can enjoy it.
“It will be the biggest match of my career so far. Playing the final at the Boleyn Ground; there’s nothing more you can dream of, really. It’s a huge game.”
Browne has played an integral part in the Development Squad’s progression to the final, most notably netting in the 3-2 semi-final victory over Liverpool.
In total, Browne has scored three goals for the U21s this term as part of a number of impressive displays which have also caught Slaven Bilic’s eye.
The youngster has long been one of a number of Academy of Football graduates who regularly trains with the first team.
He continued: “It was an experience of a lifetime to be on the first team bench. Changing and training with them was good and I feel like I’m benefiting from that and becoming better. They’re always encouraging and they guide you through training.
“There is a lot of learning and things you take in every day. The main thing is learning new things and becoming the best you can be. It’s a massive Club and a Club that’s projecting forward. There are good things happening here.
“Both on and off the pitch, the Club has really helped my development. It matures you as a person and a footballer. You get a lot of life skills.”
With Browne clearly enjoying his time in the claret and blue, the club he has been at for almost ten years, the future is also looking bright.
The youngster, who name checks Dimitri Payet as one of the players he models his game on, finished by saying: “It’s inspiring coming in, and seeing all the posters on the walls, that’s the level you want to be at. At the moment, I look up to Payet a lot, as he’s a player I see myself being in the future. He’s one of the best.
“It’s inspirational for everyone at the Academy and everyone’s looking forward to the stadium move. Everyone’s hoping to play in it at some point. Moving over there will be great and hopefully we can play there one day soon.”