Kids must take chance to shine
HUDDERSFIELD Town’s young players should be doubly determined to prove they can step up under new head coach Carlos Corberan.
That’s the view of caretaker boss Danny Schofield as he prepared to include some Academy graduates in the final matchday squad of the season at Millwall.
As part of their new vision for the future, which is expected to be under Corberan – although the final details of his move from Leeds United are still to be completed – Town are keen to create a faster conveyor belt and more open pathway for their youngsters to thrive in the Championship.
Corberan has a proven track record as Leeds United Under 23s coach while working with Marcelo Bielsa at first-team level at Elland Road, where he was a colleague of Schofield for a time.
Asked whether the club have young players who can step up next season should they be required, Schofield answered: “I think they can.
“I’ve only been here a short time, six weeks before the coronavirus and we have had more players come back in now as the restrictions have eased – with the guidelines on the virus and the social distancing.
“I’ve really worked closely with a lot of the players who have come back from loans spells as well, and I think there is some real talent here.
“I think it’s important to try the best we can, as an Academy and a staff, to really push and develop these young players, because I think there is a real connection with the fans and the club in general when you can get young players in.
“When you look this time, someone like Lewis O’Brien has had that impact.
I think it’s important as an academy to really
push these young players
“The players should see this as an opportunity.
“There will be a period of reflection for staff and players over what will be a short summer period, before we are starting back quickly in terms of pre-season. With a new manager appointed, everyone should be coming in ready.”