With 8 academy players named in our recent FA Cup 4th Round match day squad, it proved to be a special occasion at the football club with 4 starters as well as 2 debuts in a 3-0 win over Birmingham City at the King Power Stadium.
Over the past few years in my position, I’ve been fortunate to witness talented young players be given an opportunity to play first team football. Each individual that makes that first step up to senior football has their own unique journey.
Some have to wait longer than others, some journeys have detours, some have more bumps along the way than others and indeed, some never get the opportunity to wear that cherished first team shirt of where it all began. However, the opportunity to stake a claim for a first team debut is more often than not based largely on consistency.
Consistency in performing the fundamentals of their game well, consistency in coping with the heightened demands of 1st team training (at home or in senior games on loan), consistency in taking on information and executing what is required, consistency in showcasing their strengths in each training session and game, consistency in improving, consistency in controlling the controllable, all culminating in, hopefully, gaining the trust of the manager.
As young players, convincing the chief decision maker that they’re ready for the step up is what football is all about. One person’s opinion can ignite a career. Football is crazy like that. As development staff, all we ask, if and when required, is for the opportunity to champion a cause and say “give him a go, he’s ready”.
In truth, you never really know a player’s capability to perform under the pressure of first team football until they’re fully immersed in the situation. Like anything, timing is key. It takes courage and trust for a manager to go with inexperience and it takes courage and trust for a player to perform. With the stakes so much higher at first team level, consistency to run hard for the team and perform the basics well can be enough to convince a manager to give youth a chance. It may take time, some longer than others, but building consistency through a commitment to improvement counts for a hell of a lot. Keep striving.
Ramblings of a Footballer 
A nice surprise to login to my email and find a blog from LM, fondly remembered as an Orient player from an increasing number of years ago. Although now into my 70’s and having been living south Devon for more than a decade, I’ve not been to “Brissie Rd” for a long while; but still remember some good times that Leon played his part in.
Good to see your still involved in “the beautiful game”; though it’s not the same game as when you played!
Continued best wishes to you, mate.