AFC Bournemouth
Under-21 coach Shaun Cooper believes AFC Bournemouth are continuing to reap the benefits of having a flourishing and progressive academy.
Under-21 coach Shaun Cooper believes AFC Bournemouth are continuing to reap the benefits of having a flourishing and progressive academy.
Cooper admitted he had been “extremely thrilled” to see no fewer than four members of his squad make their first-team debuts this season.
Nnamdi Ofoborh, Jaidon Anthony and Gavin Kilkenny have all won their spurs in the Championship, while Jordan Zemura’s bow came in the Carabao Cup.
Midfielders Ofoborh and Kilkenny also featured in the Carabao Cup, while defender Zemura won his first international caps with Zimbabwe last month.
The quartet have joined fellow academy graduates Mark Travers, Jack Simpson and Sam Surridge in the squad as the Cherries have made an impressive start in their bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Cooper, who made 313 appearances as a professional, including 240 for the Cherries, told afcb.co.uk: “Seeing these lads make their debuts – and the lads before them – is a huge feather in the cap for everyone involved in the academy.
“Most people know about the under-21s and under-18s but there is a lot of very good work going on below these age groups as well.
“For the players, it’s reward for their hard work and dedication and it’s the same for the coaches, the medical and fitness teams and all the academy staff.
“Live streaming the games has given everyone a chance to watch and, for me personally, I have been extremely thrilled to see the lads involved.
“I always love watching the first team and they have really showcased their attacking talents in the Championship. When you see the lads limbering up and then coming on, it’s an added excitement for me and everyone else involved in the academy.
“The first-team squad is very strong and the under-21 lads may only be getting minutes at the moment but that could become games in the future.
“It’s a congested fixture schedule and a long season. It’s unfortunate but due to the nature of the game, injuries happen.
“The minutes our lads are getting currently gives them a great opportunity to put themselves in front of the gaffer.
“They have all done themselves justice and the management has shown they are more than confident to use the lads should they need to.
“There are so many positives that could potentially come from this scenario but they have to keep knuckling down and stay ready.
“If they come and train or play with the under-21s occasionally, they need to use it as preparation for when their time comes because it almost certainly will for all of them. They need to be in the right frame of mind and in tip-top condition physically so they can take their chance with both hands.”
Cooper also believes the conveyor belt from the academy to the first team is a shining example to all the club’s younger players.
He added: “It’s a known fact that not every player will make the grade. But every player at this club will be given an opportunity to prove they can.
“Nnamdi, Gav, JZ and Jaidon have shown dedication, commitment and desire throughout their time at the club and are starting to get their rewards.
“They know there is still a long way to go but they all have their feet on the first rung of the ladder and the next step will be down to them.
“Although they are still young themselves, they are all a great example to the other younger players of what can be achieved through hard work.”
