Academy Manager delighted to see the progress of Ryan Barnett
Shrewsbury Town Academy Manager Eric Ramsay is delighted to see the progress Ryan Barnett is making with the first-team.
Barnett has been on the bench for every league game this season and was named Man of the Match in Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy group match at home to Manchester City Under-21s.
“It’s brilliant”, said Eric.
“I think he was the standout player for us last season and most managers that we faced would say that as well.
“I think arguably he was the best performer that I saw across the Youth Alliance League that we play in, so I think it’s natural that he’s gone on and made a bit of a mark at first team level.
“I know the reports on his performances over pre-season were really positive, so it’s nice to see that he’s been in the matchday squads and I’m sure he will have taken a lot from that.
“The next step for him is really breaking into the team and I know that’s at the forefront of his mind at the moment.
“If his performances can replicate the performances that he showed for the Under-18s last season then I’m sure he can knock on the manager’s door and make a case for being in his team.
“He’s got a lot of ability, technically he’s really strong, but how he copes at men’s football remains to be seen.
“I think there’s a strong case to say that if he was dropped in he would swim, but that’s for Barney to make a strong enough case in the coming months so the manager can’t ignore him.”