Leigh Bromby on important week for Huddersfield Town Academy
- Academy Manager reviews worthwhile week for Scholars
- Leigh Bromby on Academy match against Rangers
- Bromby discusses future plans for Under-17s side
Leigh Bromby believes that the half-term week will prove ‘very worthwhile’ in preparing the next set of Academy scholars for life at Huddersfield Town.
Five of Town’s new scholars have spent time at the Club over the last seven days, playing in a behind-closed doors game early in the week as well as a tough challenge against an older Rangers side at PPG Canalside on Thursday.
Half-term provided a rare opportunity for these players to experience full-time life at Town; one that their full-time education and the distance away from Huddersfield doesn’t currently afford.
Town’s first-half team, which featured four Under-16 players confirmed as scholars for the 2018/19 campaign and two further Under-16 trialists, found the going tough against a talented opposing side made up of players aged between 17 and 22, conceding six goals.
Town evened the ages for the second 45 minutes and the game reflected the change, with the match ending 7-0 to the Scottish side.
Despite today’s score-line, Academy Manager Bromby was happy with the benefits that the week brought.
“It’s been a very worthwhile week for the Academy.
“Next year’s scholars, who are now either 15 or 16, all have the traits we’re looking for in players in our style, but they’ve not had one session on the ‘Terriers Identity’ and our style of play as a team.
“This week, we’ve started to introduce our playing philosophy to them and that should give them a little head-start when they arrive for pre-season.
“The way we play takes time to learn. Our Under-23 Coach Mark Hudson can tell you that having lived and breathed it as a player. We don’t expect them to understand that detail yet.
“The challenge posed by a well-coached, older Rangers side was phenomenal for these players. We’re not disappointed; it’s for us all to sit back and assess.
“The players are new to the Club and it’s been good to get to know them better as individuals. You learn a lot about a person’s character in difficult circumstances such as today’s game – much more than when you’re winning. Even in losing, you look for a good attitude and team ethic.”
With plans now in place for what the new-look Huddersfield Town Academy will operate moving forward, Leigh explained that performances will take priority over results for the youngest age groups.
“We will be playing this Under-17 team in an Under-18 league next season, so the results will be up and down. That needs a change of mindset from everyone, from staff to the supporters, to look at performances first.
“We want all our Academy players, regardless of the age group, to be presented with challenges that they have to overcome. To produce better players, they need bigger challenges and that’s what we’re trying to give them.
“The Under-17 players will face big challenges in learning our style and improving their skills in the face of a real physical stimulus. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they face and overcome those challenges.”
Town’s first-half line-up vs Rangers (4-2-3-1):
Harrison Davison-Hale; Ben Jackson, Mustapha Olagunju; Tom Bamford (c), Hayden Smethurst; Jahiem Headley, Scott High; Osaritin Otote, Matty Daly, Andrew Ijiwole; Micah Obiero
Town’s second-half line-up vs Rangers (4-2-3-1):
Luke Mewitt; Sam Gibson, Romoney Crichlow-Noble, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jordan Williams; Scott High, Saul Milovanovic (Isaac Marriott); Ben Jackson (Josh Austerfield), Olly Dyson, Dom Tear; George Danaher
