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Money Talk: Toon's Got Talent
Written by Newcastle Utd
Academy Director delighted with progress being made by club's young guns
By Craig Hope
WITH Newcastle United Under-18s currently flying high at the top of the table, Academy Director Richard Money admits he is delighted by the progress being made by some of the Magpie young guns.
Money has taken charge of the club's Reserves in recent months and has demonstrated his faith in a number of United's first-year scholars by handing them second-string bows.
Sammy Ameobi, Brad Inman, Conor Newton, James Tavernier, Jeff Henderson and Stephen Folan have all debuted at that level this season.
Indeed, 16-year-old Ameobi, younger brother of Shola, was the Geordies' star man during last month's Central League Cup tie at Hartlepool as he produced a match-winning double in a 2-1 success.
While others such as Australian Inman, Whickham-born Newton and Leeds lad Tavernier are becoming something of a regular fixture in Money's Reserve squads.
And the former Walsall boss says he has been impressed with promise shown by the Toon starlets.
"We've got a lot of good young players at this club," Money told nufcTV.
"There's a whole group of them have had a major influence in the way that the Under-18s have performed and it's no surprise to see them top of the league.
"A lot of them are first-year players and I've been very pleased with their progress.
"The likes of Brad Inman, Conor Newton, Sammy Ameobi and James Tavernier have come in with the Reserves and done well and it's encouraging.
"The challenge now is for them to keep that up and for others to do the same."
United's Juniors are currently in pole position in the Academy table with Nile Ranger having netted 12 times already this season.
And Money says the 17-year-old hotshot could have a big future in the game.
"Nile has been excellent since joining us," he added.
"He's played at a real high intensity for both the Under-18s and Reserves.
"He could have a big future in the game and we hope to see that at Newcastle."
With no Reserve game this week, Money's men are back in action at Everton next Tuesday where nufcTV will have exclusive match highlights and reaction from the Halton Stadium.