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Watson Content Despite "Difficult" Season
Written by Newcastle Utd
Coach Dave Watson casts his eye over the young Magpies' season in the Barclays Under-18 Premier League
By Dominic Scurr
Dave Watson believes there were positives to take from a "difficult" season for Newcastle United's under-18s.
The young Magpies finished sixth in the Barclays Under-18s Premier League tier three play-off group, ending their 2015/16 campaign with eight wins, four draws and 18 losses.
A shock last-32 exit to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Youth Cup at St. James' Park epitomised a disappointing term for United's Academy side, but Watson believes that beyond the results is a group of players who have shown signs of development.
"Overall, the results suggest that it was a difficult season for us," the under-18s coach told nufc.co.uk.
"We didn't get the results we wanted but we saw quite a few lads move up to the under-21s and some even trained with the first team. So from an experience perspective, it was quite positive for the lads.
"At the same time, it does give the kids more confidence to play in a winning environment so ideally it would help us if we kept the age groups together and got into the habbit of winning regularly.
"At times we missed some experienced players because they had been with the under-21s and that's why we didn't pick up more points.
"Other sides will be in a similar situation but we are not here to win every week - we have to develop players and help them progress to the next level.
"Victories for us are seeing players step up and perform for the under-21s - when I talk to Peter (Beardsley) and see players get called up and do well with the under-21s, that's the highlight for me.
"It's always nice to see the kids move up and do well but it's also good to have players coming in.
"We played a lot of under-16 players this season, which is great in terms of progression, but it can sometimes mean we don't get the results."
With more than 20 under-18s stepping up to under-21 level during the course of the season, Watson was particularly pleased with the progression of a few certain individuals in his squad.
"We had a few players who, when they played, were always reliable and consistent," continued the coach.
"The likes of Jack Hunter and Sean Longstaff in midfield, as well as Jamie Holmes and Lewis McNall, who had both been injured but are prolific goalscorers and you saw that when they all played together against Southampton (on the final day of the season).
"There's no one particular stand-out player but in terms of most improved, Luke Charman is a player who has progressed really well.
"Overall, it's been an encouraging season in terms of the progression of players which is pleasing but only time will tell whether it has been successful or not."