Mambo, Tuna: Key Players?

By Nick Blackbourn
August 24 2009

Parkinson post-Walsall spoke a lot about youth players. Not just match-winner Wagstaff, but also Tamer Tuna and, obviously, Jonjo Shelvey. It's clear that even if the takeover completes and we bring in some more talent to the squad our youth system graduates have a critical role if we are to have a successful season.

When Parkinson told the official website "...another of our youngsters has come on and made a contribution", I think he realises that over the course of the season our young players are likely to be called upon. Saturday's cameo by Wagstaff was a good example to follow.

Yado Mambo, a pre-season regular, offers cover for Llera and Dailly in central defence. Tamer Tuna took Andy Gray's place on the bench following his departure to Barnsley; his opportunity to shine must be edging closer. Chris Solly, a promising full-back, offers cover for Richardson and Youga. Alex Stavrinou, a midfielder, already has a start against Hereford. Jonjo Shelvey is a first team regular already and is obviously vital to hopes of promotion this season.

On the experienced squad members, Parkinson said "Experience is so crucial. If you look at the bench today and how young it was, they need those older heads, not just out on the pitch but on the training ground too."

Perhaps this is an indication of our transfer policy for the next 8 days. Experience. We undoubtedly have young, seemingly talented players, but they need role models to give guidance to help them adjust to first team competitive football.

Wagstaff has set the tone for our youth team products. Hopefully when (and it isn't if) they are called upon, they can make a similar impact. How Yado, Tuna, Solly, Stavrinou play when they step into a League One fixture may define our season.

Expect, then, in the coming days for battle hardened veterans to be handed the red shirt. If they can do a job on the pitch as well as mentor our kids, we may have a fully stocked squad that can challenge for promotion after all.