We want to bring more talent through – Pulis
BORO BOSS HAILS CLUB’S ACADEMY AFTER KIDS STAR IN CUP VICTORY
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has hailed the work of the club’s Academy after 10 graduates played a part in their Carabao Cup progress.
Boro moved into the fourth round on Tuesday after a penalty shootout victory over Preston North End.
Having made 11 changes to his side, Pulis saw Middlesbrough fall behind to Callum Robinson’s firsthalf strike - although Ashley Fletcher quickly levelled.
A howler from stopper Dimi Konstantopolous then handed the lead back to the hosts as Tom Barkhuizen’s shot slipped under his body.
But Marcus Tavernier restored parity and – after the remaining 20 minutes failed to separate the sides – Boro triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
And Pulis has been quick to praise the club’s academy graduates who played a vital part in the cup success – while the experienced manager is keen to see even more young prospects progress through the ranks.
“I thought it was a really good performance,” he admitted.
“The first team have done really well this season, they have been pretty consistent since the season started so there hasn’t been many changes.
“So there’s a lot of senior players who haven’t had a game then you go onto the kids and we’ve had four kids in the starting XI and six on the bench.
“So we’ve got 10 kids that have come through the Academy system that have been involved tonight which I think is fabulous for the football club. It’s great for the area, it shows that the people that are doing the job in the Academy are doing things the right way.
“We’re together as a football club. Some academies are a little bit distant but we’re not, we’re together and we want to bring these kids through.
“There’s Woody (Nathan) only 16-years-of-age, Tav (Marcus Tavernier), they were absolutely fantastic,
“Some academies are a little bit distant, but we’re not” TONY PULIS