PULIS IS BANKING ON KIDS TO SHAPE FUTURE

TONY Pulis says he is trying to develop Middlesbrough’s identity as a football club and is thrilled to see the progress of players from the academy.

Pulis used a raft of home-grown players in a much-changed side for the Carabao Cup win on penalties against Preston.

The Boro boss feels it is important that the youngsters get a chance, and said: “We’ve had four kids in the starting XI (against Preston) and six on the bench.

“We’ve got 10 kids that have come through the academy system that have been involved, which is fabulous for the club.

“The club has got a great tradition of bringing youngsters through and we’ve got another game coming up, and we’ll give them more opportunities as well.

“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 trying to stick an identity on the football team. I think it’s important that football clubs have identities and one of the main ones is every game we play, if we put the shirt on we work really hard.”

Pulis is also keen that there is a close relationship between the first team and the academy system at the club.

“We’re together as a football club,” he said. “Some academies are a little bit distant, but we’re not, we’re together and we want to bring these kids through.”