After a decent start to the season for the youth team, ShrewsWeb spoke to Dave Hughes to get an idea of how things are going. The sequence of two wins and a draw so far in the campaign is obviously pleasing, but with a longer term view, Hughes is quick to point out that it isn't all about winning. "From the player's point of view, I think it's important, they're obviously delighted when they get the result. We have to be careful that it doesn't paper over issues that may be highlighted; sometimes you learn more from a defeat than you do a victory, certainly at our level where it is about learning and development. So I haven't got carried away by the fact that we have won 2 games and drawn 1, in fact it's probably been the opposite, we've probably been a bit more demanding of the players, because of the fact that they have nicked the result without performing as well as we know they are capable of."

So with the youth team, it is more of a case of progress over results, and Dave is keen to point out the progress that has been made already this season. "They've done well, they are a young side and I have been impressed with certain aspects". But with youth football there is always more progress to be made, and Hughes isn't sitting on his laurels congratulating himself, he is looking for areas to improve further. "As is always the case, there are still areas we can improve upon".

There is also individual praise for one or two players who have done well so far, with Captain Luke Male top of the list. The young midfielder has turned in some good performances and is seen by Hughes as a good influence on the pitch," Luke is captain for the year; he is a good lad, a good leader and is someone who is a good role model for the younger guys. He's started the season very well and I am pleased for him, he had a good season last year, has settled in and is someone who is keen to do very well."

Another player that people are beginning to talk about is 15 year old Mason Springthorpe, who has been performing above his age group in goal." Mason is an under 16, he came in during the school holidays to train with us and did very, very well. So I put him a couple of pre season games, he didn't look out of place and acquitted himself well. I just thought, he's done well, give him the chance. He made a save on Saturday that was top class, probably 2 or 3". As with all youth players, he isn't the finished article yet and the coaching staff will be helping him to work on."Again, he has a lot to learn, decision making at times and when to play it out, when to throw it and when to kick. He's probably a bit nervous at times because he is playing with lads who are 3 years older".

So if you are old enough, you are good enough for Hughes, who has tried to encourage the younger players to reach further, "That's something that we have tried to emphasize, we've tried to reduce the numbers in the Centre of Excellence from last year in the hope that, if players in the under 16's are performing very well then we will want to push them through. We don't want them to stay in the 16's for the whole of the season if they are playing well. Last year we emphasized that with two under 14's in the youth side, both played very well, they're in the 15's this year. Again, if they are doing very well in the 15's, come the latter stages after Christmas, they will be given an opportunity."

COYB

Marcus Braddock