Watson Pleased With Defensive Resilience

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Newcastle United Under-18s coach Dave Watson hailed the defensive improvement which has helped his side make a fine start to the season.

The young Magpies face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday at Little Benton (11am kick-off), hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the Under-18 Premier League North season, having won three and drawn one of their games so far.

And the Magpies youngsters have kept three clean sheets in those four games - a statistic that is especially pleasing for Watson, a former England international centre half.

"It's been a big factor. Last year we conceded an awful lot of goals, and there was a lack of strength throughout the team, because a lot of players were out on loan, and we had very young teams," he told nufc.co.uk.

"The kids battled like mad and they did their best, but we were coming up against teams that were just so much stronger than us physically, and better technically as well.

"It was a good experience for those young kids, but this year we sat down before the season started and we had a look at the goals we conceded, and went through them. It was high on the priority list that we didn't want to be conceding an awful lot of goals this season.

"But it's not that we're a defensively-minded team - we've got some really good attacking players. But just by players understanding their roles a little bit more and working a little bit harder out of possession, the kids are seeing results for it, and they're enjoying doing what they're doing."

Victories over Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland have propelled United to the top of the table at this early stage in the season, with a 1-1 draw at West Brom their only outing that didn't herald three points.

And Watson spoke of the strides he's seen in his team make ahead of this weekend's clash with Wolves, saying some added experience in his side has made a difference.

"The kids have done great. They've been playing more as a team rather than individuals, and we've been getting the results because of it," he said.

"From last year, we've got one or two lads back down who were playing for the under-23s last year, so from that point of view we've got one or two more experienced players in the team which is a big factor.

"That's what's good about it - the more players we can get to train with the under-23s, the better for us, because when they do come back, it strengthens our team.

"Everyone has to up their training because these kids are getting better and the more kids you're having training with really good ability, it ups the bar and everyone's got to push themselves that little bit further."

The Magpies earned a 1-0 win in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season at the Academy of Light last time out, thanks to a header from Owen Gallacher, who could again feature this weekend along with the likes of fellow attacking talents Mackenzie Heaney and Lewis McNall.

Watson was impressed with his side's discipline and application in that display on Wearside, which was capped off by another shut-out.

"The derby games are always a bit of a battle, and I know how much it means to them because I've been involved in one or two over the years," said the former Everton captain.

"It's all about controlling their emotions, because I think over the years one or two people have been sent off in these type of games, and it's important to keep everyone on the pitch.

"It's about managing the different stages of the game, and that's what the kids are learning to do now.

"They really had good control over themselves. Sunderland started the game really well, but we stayed in the game, and then we just got stronger as the game went on and dominated the second half. They put in another good performance, and got another clean sheet."