3/1 To Win
Justin Walker believes that his Derby County Under-18 side must show more fight and desire if they are to end their run of two straight defeats in the Premier League- Northern Division.
Derby fell victim to their second defeat of the season in as many games at the hands of West Bromwich Albion in their first game back at the Moor Farm Training Centre.
On the result, Walker wasn’t impressed with the performance levels of his players.
He said: “I am disappointed with the performance levels the players of shown all this week and it ultimately showed today. Youth football can be up and down but as a collective we should all be disappointed about today.
“I think these opening two games is a fair reflection of where we are at the moment. We will have to work harder and show more character because there wasn’t enough character or fight on that pitch today.”
Last season, Walker’s Under-18 side lost just four league matches in the entire season. To avoid reaching that same number too quickly, Walker believes his team need to adapt to the style he has been accustomed to seeing throughout the club for the past 10 years.
“We have always prided ourselves on certain characteristics at this club,” continued Walker. “There are pillars that we have followed for the 10 years that I have been here. Everyone has to abide by that to earn the right to play for the club.
“We didn’t show any of that for a sustained amount of time today nor did we, rather worryingly, show anywhere near enough quality today.”
Next, the Rams have a long trip up to Newcastle to attend to. To avoid a similar fate, Walker has claimed that he will be working hard in training to get the team to where he wants them to be.
He said: “All we can do is reflect and head back to the training ground and work on everything I have already mentioned. We will go back on Monday and continue what we’re doing, none of that changes.”
Despite the disappointing defeat, Walker believes that there were some positives to take from the match.
“Listen, we created opportunities today. We had the best chances without scoring in the first and second half and maybe, on another day, they hit the back of the net. Right now, though, I am looking for more consistency and that’s what we will work on ahead of Newcastle,” concluded Walker.
The side have a week of training to prepare before the trip up north on Saturday 24th August.
Words by Joseph Lightfoot
