Cotterill To Give Youth A Chance

Unlike some of his predecessors, Steve Cotterill could be the man willing to put his faith in the youngsters at the club and give them their big break into first team football. Neither Steve McClaren nor Billy Davies before him were too keen on blooding young players, but Cotterill appears to be buying into Chairman Frank Clark's philosophy, that the emerging young talent at the club has to be utilised.

Cotterill told the Evening Post,that he's already asked for certain players to be given the opportunity to train with the first team, in an effort to give them more experience. 'Whenever there are players who are physically developed enough, like Lascelles and Bamford, they can train with us early and we can fast-track them into the first team, before you know it. Kieron Freeman (currently on loan at Mansfield) is another we are looking at, but I have not seen enough of him yet.'

It may be a case that neither Lascelles or Bamford are quite ready to make the breakthrough, but at least when the time does come, they will be better prepared for the step up. Cotterill looks to be more willing to work with the youngsters than other managers before him, which should serve him well whilst working under strict financial constraints.

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