Derby County Under-18s Head Coach Justin Walker believes that Frank Lampard’s belief in youth is a key factor behind the success that the Academy has enjoyed so far this season.
In the Under-18 Premier League North, Walker’s side currently sit second, just one point behind leaders Liverpool, whilst they reached the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup with an impressive 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur last Friday night.
They have also reached the Fifth Round of the FA Youth Cup and will face Manchester City at Pride Park on Thursday night, knowing that a win will not only take them into the quarter-finals, but also extend their winning run to 10 games in all competitions.
Walker believes that his players have been inspired by Lampard and his first team staff, with the opportunities that they have shown are available, evidenced by the roles played by Jayden Bogle and Mason Bennett in the first team this season.
He said: “I’m proud of every one of them and I’m proud to be a part of Derby County’s Academy.
“There is no magic wand. The lads have been incredibly professional and they are sacrificing a lot.
“They are buying into it, and that comes down to the manager.
“Frank and his staff have been fantastic; they are giving the motivation and incentive that opportunities are available.”
19-year-old Jayden Mitchell-Lawson appeared in the first team matchday squad for the first time in the FA Cup at the weekend, whilst Lampard named Lee Buchanan (17) and Tyree Wilson (16) in the 18 to face Reading.
Both Buchanan and Wilson starred for the Under-18s on Friday night, and Walker believes that this displays the high levels of motivation within the Academy.
“Lee [Buchanan] was magnificent tonight, him and Tyree [Wilson] were involved with the first team against Reading, now they’re back playing with the Under-18s, and that epitomises what we have in the group right now,” he explained.
“Nobody is worried about what age they are playing at, whether it’s Under-18s, Under-23s or the first team, they are just going out and performing and that’s what we’re focusing on.
“It’s what every young, aspiring footballer needs - you need a manager that puts belief in youth, and we have one. Long may that continue.
“It makes my job at this level easy, because he has given them all the motivation and hunger that they need.
“Young players always need opportunities, and he has been that source.”
