OPINION: Derby should now give youth a chance

This weekend Steve McClaren recalled Mason Bennett to the Rams squad for the 1-0 defeat at Villa. I'm not going to dwell too much on the result or my column will be more of the same old moaning.

Mason Bennett was touted as the next big thing five years ago when he made his debut at 15 years of age.

He certainly looked very promising and I recall a cup game against Chelsea where he gave Ashley Cole a very difficult time.

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In the last couple of years he appears to have gone off the radar a little, though he’s had his fair share of injuries.

Nurturing home grown talent has been an area that we have done well at in the last 10-15 years.

Tom Huddlestone was one of many who graduated through the Moor Farm academy. Giles Barnes followed though his career stuttered when he picked up a serious injury.

Lee Grant who moved to Stoke in January was home grown along with Jeff Hendrick who was sold to Burnley for over ten million pounds.

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Will Hughes is like a senior player now despite still being only 21. There’s no doubt his sale if allowed would top the fee paid for Hendrick.

Max Lowe has broken into the first team and in many people eyes should be ahead of Marcus Olsson in the pecking order for Left Back. Although still learning, he has much natural talent.

There’s a few more players who are knocking on the door of the first team squad too! Jamie Hanson has played in the starting eleven, but is currently out on loan to Wigan.

Farrend Rawson, Charles Vernam and Callum Guy (On loan at Port Vale) all have good references from those who follow the under-18’s. Another Timi Max Elsnik has played in the EFL Cup.

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With us spending heavily in the last couple of seasons and no doubt that some hefty wages are being paid out for some who have been quite frankly disappointing, giving some of these lads a little more playing time could surely be justified.

Our Neighbours down the A52 have had success in playing the youngsters. Osborn, Burke, Cash and Brereton have all made the step up into the first team and indeed Burke was sold for big money.

There’s no doubting the talent of some of our youngsters, so maybe, just maybe we might get to look at some of them as this season fizzles out.

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