Manager Mike Phelan has been speaking about two of our youngsters this week – Josh Tymon and Jarrod Bowen.
17 year old Tymon played the full 90 minutes in our League Cup victory over Bristol City, and 19 year old Bowen made his Premier League debut from the bench in the narrow loss to Watford at the weekend.
With other youngsters in and around the first team fold, Phelan confirmed he wouldn’t call on them unless he felt they were ready, but equally until they take to the pitch, fans won’t see what he’s seeing from them in training.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media to discuss various topics, Phelan explained.
‘They`ve been around the group in training and look capable, but you never know until you put them in. We`ve done that in the last couple of games – partly because we`ve had to and partly because it`s important that they see this level of football. I`ve been happy with all of the youngsters that have come into this group. At the start of the season, we had 13 players and six kids. Those six have stayed with the group since then.’
Phelan went on to say that obviously they are raw and lack experience, but they are confident and experience only comes from games anyway.
‘Okay, they lack experience but they give you that bit of endeavour. I thought it was important that we gave Josh a run-out last week and we gave Jarrod a go on Saturday, albeit only for six or seven minutes, but they`re not phased by it all and are capable. Youth gives you effort, it gives you mistakes and it gives you a lot of endeavour. Their careers are just starting and for them to play a game in the Premier League is a massive jump for them. I wouldn`t put them in that position if I didn`t think they could perform.’
Ahmed Elmohamady was also in front of the media this week as we build towards the weekend’s clash against Southampton, and he knew that a rocking KCOM Stadium could definitely help the players bring to an end their run of six straight defeats.
‘We need the fans, of course. They can be the 12th man so we need them to be right behind the team. Whatever else is on their mind, we need their top vocal support during the 90 minutes to help us towards three points.’
