Justin Walker was encouraged by his side’s display as Derby County's Under-18s drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion in Premier League – North.
A good attacking showing from the Rams had looked like it would go unrewarded when the visitors took the lead 20 minutes from time, but Lee Buchanan’s header saw them take a well-earned point.
A controlled performance from an experienced Rams side had produced some flowing periods of play, and Walker feels a loss would have been undeserved for his side’s efforts.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, he said: “It would have been unjust for the result to have been anything other than us taking something from the game.
“Anyone watching the game, I would imagine, couldn’t believe we were one-nil down.
“The lads deserve an awful lot of credit tonight. They’ve put in an encouraging performance, but perhaps lacked a bit of quality in the final third. Otherwise I think we could’ve run away with the game.
“It was nice to see the players who had been at Tottenham with the Under-23s on Saturday come back and show fantastic attitude, application and work ethic.”
With the elder players returning to the team to support the younger members of the squad, the side created some good openings that could have won the game on another day.
With this in mind, Walker took the opportunity to highlight a number of impressive performances within the team and praise the influence that they had.
He said: “I think Lee Buchanan, Jason Knight, Max Bird, Cameron Cresswell and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson all acquitted themselves really well.
“We lost Tyree Wilson at half time with an injury, but I thought Archie Brown was fantastic tonight too. He played a different position – one that he’s not used to – and showed all the attributes that we want and he’ll need moving forward.
“I think it’s good to have various challenges. We were a really young side on Saturday, and we learnt quite a lot about the individuals that played in that game.
“Tonight it was great that we had the more senior members of the scholars to help the younger players, and you could tell we were far more balanced this evening.”
The Rams have just three more games left of what has been a successful season so far in terms of both results and player development.
Following the team’s latest game, Walker took time to reflect on the progress that his and Rory Delap’s side have made towards their eventual targets.
He said: “The lads set their own standards up until January. Like in every season, our job is about the players moving up and progressing and aspiring to wanting to get on at the club.
“That could be with the Under-23s or out on loan, but ultimately their end goal is the first team.
“Our job is about that, so we’re always looking at the younger players and how hard they are getting pushed towards Under-18s football.
“I think you could see tonight that we were more like the team that people had seen in the first six months of the year, and you’d expect that because of the senior players that we had with us.”
The Under-18s' next match sees them welcome Newcastle United to the Derby County Training Centre for their Premier League -North clash on Saturday, kick-off 1pm.
Words: Marc Walker
