Young Terrier previews Tuesday’s game at Burnley
- Town Under-17s to play in Clarets Cup at Burnley
- Young Terriers looking for another performance and win
- Myles Bright discusses the game & his first months at Town
Under-17 midfielder Myles Bright wants to keep the team’s momentum going when the Young Terriers travel to Burnley in the Clarets Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
Whilst Youth Alliance games are used to take specific lessons from training and apply them in a game situation, Coach Jon Worthington uses the Clarets Cup – a bespoke competition specifically for Under-17s – to challenge the scholars to perform and win.
Midfielder Myles, 16, has been a big part of the side that has really kicked on in the early stages of the season, recording a win at the first attempt in the competition at Doncaster Rovers a week ago.
Myles, who joined the Academy from grassroots football in London this summer, is relishing his time with the Terriers so far.
“I’m having a great time!” he told htafc.com.
“I’m still getting used to the area, as I’ve moved from London. That was hard at the start but as time has gone by, I have got used to it. I like where I’m living, but it is very different to London!
“I’m staying with another one of the players, Andrew (Ijiwole), and he helps me. Josh Austerfield is giving us a lift in too, which is great, and Andrew has helped me with things like cooking and college work.
“It’s much easier to concentrate on football up here, as there are fewer distractions.”
Under the tutelage of Worthington, Myles has started working on playing more centrally – adding to his natural game as a winger.
He continued:
“I’m enjoying the football. Jon Worthington is helping me learn the number eight position; we’ve worked on my forward runs there, as well as on the wing.
“We’ve also worked on how I receive the ball on the turn. Before I came to Huddersfield I would sometimes go backwards when I receive the ball, but Jon is teaching me how to receive the ball and be able to go forwards and be more attacking. Then I can create more chances.
“I’m noticing it in games, like the last one at Doncaster; I felt like I created a lot going forward, but unfortunately I couldn’t score.
“The games have been very interesting. We played against a diamond in midfield at Lincoln, which gave them an extra man in midfield, and as a winger I had to come infield and pick up one of their central midfielders. If I didn’t do my job, our whole defensive structure broke down and they were able to play out.
“I’ve come from Sunday League, so it’s all very different. I’ve been learning the importance of high pressing and the mid-press. Everything is better; the facilities obviously are, but I also like the travelling we must do to play other teams. Being from London, I like seeing other northern places and the different types of players they have.
“My diet is now pretty good. Lee Mellor helps us understand how what we eat affects our physique, and we all want to get bigger and stronger. I’m now trying to eat five meals a day!
“When I first came, I found it hard to play matches and train every day. We played Bradford in the first Youth Alliance game and my body was tired, but I’ve got used to it as time has gone on.”
Myles and his young teammates travel to Burnley tomorrow with the aim of making it two wins in two in the competition, with the game kicking off at the Clarets’ Barnfield Training Complex at 1.30pm.
Myles concluded:
“I like playing the cup games – both the Clarets Cup and Youth Alliance Cup. The games we have so far have been hard and challenging, but so far we pushed through and won them all.
“In the first Clarets Cup game against Doncaster, we conceded a scrappy goal to go to 1-1. However, Brahima (Diarra) found a way to score to get the win.
“Because we work so hard in training, the things we learn start to come naturally in games. That makes the games much easier and gives us an advantage.”
You can follow updates from Tuesday’s game on the dedicated Academy Twitter account, @htafcacademy!
