OUR KIDS CAN BE AS GOOD AS ARSENAL'S
Whatever Arsenal's youngsters can do, Watford's can do better - that's the view
of Jay DeMerit, the Championship side's captain.
While Arsene Wenger's kids hit Sheffield United for six on Wednesday night in
the Carling Cup, Aidy Boothroyd's nippers defeated West Ham United 1-0.
And this Saturday they too play Sheffield United, this time in the
Championship, glowing with confidence.
Boothroyd has been forced to utilise his youngsters with over 10 injuries to
first-team players.
But they are rising to the challenge, 28-year-old skipper DeMerit believes.
"Youngsters coming through and performing is really what we need, and what's
happening," said the American.
"We have a small squad anyway, but with so many injuries there is only one
thing that can help us, and that is young guys stepping up and doing the job.
We have more than enough confidence that these guys can do that.
"Adrian Mariappa (21) has done a really good job coming in at right back and
Jordan Parkes (19) impressed. Scott Loach (20) in goals made some good saves
and Ross Jenkins (17) and Lionel Ainsworth (20) played very well against West
Ham too.
"Will Hoskins (22) , who was filling in for Tamas Priskin and Grzegorz Rasiak,
did a magnificent job. We needs to keep that going, because competition is
never a bad thing, especially in a small squad like this."
On Saturday's game at Bramall Lane DeMerit added: "Cup runs can always spur on
League runs, so that's what we'll be looking to do on against Sheffield United.
"I'm sure they won't read too much into the 6-0 result against Arsenal. It's
back to the Championship now.
"A defeat like that can go one of two ways - either it will kill their
confidence or they will make sure that they don't let it happen again. But that
is down to them, not us. Our job is to go out and play like we did against West
Ham."
Whatever Arsenal's youngsters can do, Watford's can do better - that's the view
of Jay DeMerit, the Championship side's captain.
While Arsene Wenger's kids hit Sheffield United for six on Wednesday night in
the Carling Cup, Aidy Boothroyd's nippers defeated West Ham United 1-0.
And this Saturday they too play Sheffield United, this time in the
Championship, glowing with confidence.
Boothroyd has been forced to utilise his youngsters with over 10 injuries to
first-team players.
But they are rising to the challenge, 28-year-old skipper DeMerit believes.
"Youngsters coming through and performing is really what we need, and what's
happening," said the American.
"We have a small squad anyway, but with so many injuries there is only one
thing that can help us, and that is young guys stepping up and doing the job.
We have more than enough confidence that these guys can do that.
"Adrian Mariappa (21) has done a really good job coming in at right back and
Jordan Parkes (19) impressed. Scott Loach (20) in goals made some good saves
and Ross Jenkins (17) and Lionel Ainsworth (20) played very well against West
Ham too.
"Will Hoskins (22) , who was filling in for Tamas Priskin and Grzegorz Rasiak,
did a magnificent job. We needs to keep that going, because competition is
never a bad thing, especially in a small squad like this."
On Saturday's game at Bramall Lane DeMerit added: "Cup runs can always spur on
League runs, so that's what we'll be looking to do on against Sheffield United.
"I'm sure they won't read too much into the 6-0 result against Arsenal. It's
back to the Championship now.
"A defeat like that can go one of two ways - either it will kill their
confidence or they will make sure that they don't let it happen again. But that
is down to them, not us. Our job is to go out and play like we did against West
Ham."
Labels: Aidy Boothroyd, Carling Cup, Jay Demerit, Watford
