Clark’s Youngsters

By Nick Raynor
April 17 2007

Newcastle United coach Lee Clark has stated that tonight’s reserves clash against Middlesbrough is a chance for his youngsters to shine.

As more and more of the Newcastle academy begin to play for the first team, Clark is responsible for producing more of the same.

 

Huntington, Pattison, Krul, Edgar and most notably, Andrew Carroll, have all made first team appearances recently, and join Steven Taylor, Peter Ramage and Shola Ameobi as first team products of Newcastle’s youth system.

 

Lee Clark’s reserves beat a highly rated Manchester United team last week, with two 15-year-olds, Stewart Bath and Kieron Wrightson, making appearances as substitutes.

 

Clark said:

 

"The younger players can start next season with a lot of confidence from what they've experienced this season.

 

These young boys are getting that experience now and they will do in the last two games against Middlesbrough and Bolton.

 

"These will be the players that I will be working with next season.

 

"Andy Carroll, David Edgar and Matty Pattison will all be closer to the first team, they may not be around me.

 

"But I had two 15-year-olds coming off the bench last week against Man United and it's great news for them."