Newcastle United Under-18s lead coach Peter Ramage admitted his squad are "motivated" to better last season's FA Youth Cup run ahead of Wednesday's fifth round tie at Blackpool.
The young Magpies make the trip to Lancashire to face the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road (kick-off 7pm GMT), having booked their spot in the last 16 following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Colchester United at St. James' Park in round four.
Ramage, who progressed through Newcastle's youth ranks as a player before making 69 competitive first-team appearances for the Magpies, revealed the youngsters are determined to reach back-to-back quarter-finals in the competition after reaching the last-eight in 2021.
"As soon as the full-time whistle went against Colchester, everybody's eyes was on the next round and they're excited," the Ashington-born coach told nufc.co.uk. "They know it's going to be a tough game, going away from home.
"It's going to be at their stadium, which is another experience for them to be able to play in a different environment than in academy games. It's another part of their learning development to handle the emotions of an away tie in the Youth Cup.
"They did well at West Ham (in round three) but it was somewhat like a non-league ground whereas this is a proper ground which should be good for them.
"They're really motivated to at least replicate what the group did last year. They had a great run which was great to see. A lot of our second-year scholars were involved so they have the motivation to beat that.
"It didn't end well, losing to Villa, but the achievement for them to reach a quarter-final was fantastic and these games will stay with you for a long time, wherever you go in your career. Runs are great and they want to try and get to the next round."
Ahead of their trip to Blackpool, Newcastle have already faced a number of thrilling rides upon their passage to round five, defeating West Ham United in round three via a late 3-2 away win in the capital.
Ramage believes the hurdles already encountered in this year's cup run can benefit the squad as they bid to lift the trophy for a third time in the club's history after tasting success in 1962 and 1985.
He added: "It's like going back to the Keegan era, scoring one more than the opposition! It's been great for all the staff. We plan for their development in terms of the games programme. Yes, we want to try and win games but it's all about the development of the player whereas this is about the results.
"We have been faced with adversity on a few occasions, going down to West Ham and losing Harry Barclay (to injury) and then losing about everyone bar the goalkeeper in the Colchester game.
"At academy level, we're trying to get players through the system into the next level but this is a competition where the results do matter.
"It's been good for the lads to work on game management to get through to the next tie and they've got to learn that and quickly. When you go up to the first-team or into the under-23s, it's important to win games."
Blackpool compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, two divisions below Newcastle, but Ramage believes facing unknown opposition will prove another valuable test for the developing teens.
"We're going to face a Blackpool side who will be hard to beat and very well organised," Ramage said. "They've had two good victories under their belt as well. They've got to understand that you have to earn the right to play.
"To do that, you must work hard and do the not so nice side of the game which they did against West Ham and Colchester. Blackpool isn't a team fitted in our games programme so it's a different style which we will potentially face compared to a weekly basis.
"For Blackpool, coming up against a Category 1 academy will be something different for them so it will be good for both teams."