Derby County Under-18’s manager Justin Walker believed his side have “done all they can” to lift the Premier League – North trophy this season after their 6-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Derby demolished Wolves in a 6-0 thrashing at the Shrewsbury Sports Village on Saturday, as six different scorers put the Rams six points clear at the top of the table.
Callum Minkley opened the scoring for Walker’s side with a deflected finish midway through the first half and that was added to by a tidy Archie Brown finish shortly before half-time.
Morgan Whittaker and Louie Sibley added the third and fourth goals of the game, the former through a penalty and the latter through a fierce strike into the roof of Wolves’ net.
Substitutes Liam Delap and Eiran Cashin then put the game to bed in the final ten minutes to complete the route of Wolves.
“I thought that game epitomised what we have in our dressing room,” said Walker speaking to dcfc.co.uk.
“I think the character, the spirit and obviously quality that we’ve got within the Under-18s dressing room was on show for everyone today.
“There’s a real spirit about them but their talent is backed up by them putting work in on a daily basis and they’ve done it all season.
“They’ve got knocked down and they’ve picked themselves back up again throughout the season, which is good for them at their age.”
This season has seen Derby claim victory in 16 of their 22 league games and Walker was filled with pride over the achievements of his side.
“I’ve loved it; I have to say – they’ve been the best group that I’ve worked with since I’ve been at the club.
“I’ve loved their character, I’ve loved their spirit and they’ll run through a brick wall for each other, that’s a key ingredient for any team.
“They’ve done magnificently and hopefully they’ve given themselves a shot to hopefully go up against whoever’s won the Southern section and extend the season for, perhaps, one more game.”
The victory sees Derby go six points clear at the top of the Premier League – North, with Liverpool needing to overturn the six-point gap and a 11-goal difference margin to halt the Rams from being crowned champions.
Liverpool face Manchester City on Tuesday night and then Middlesbrough next Saturday in their final two games of the season.
“If Liverpool go on and score 12, 13 goals or whatever it is in the two games then they deserve to win the league and it’s as simple as that – but we can’t do any more,” said Walker.
“We’ve done all we can, we’ve worked so hard; all of us and I mean within the club, the academy, staff and players. We all work as hard as we can to develop ourselves.
“I think tonight is one of those that you’ve just got to enjoy the moment, but if Liverpool do go and take the title then fair play to them.
“But, I certainly won’t be looking back and thinking we could’ve done any more and I think that these players can go home tonight proud.”
Words by Andrew Haines
Photos by Luke Thrower