AFC Bournemouth
Under-18 full-back Jack Holman listed a positive mindset as one of his biggest attributes as he looks to progress his career.
As with any young footballer, the first-year scholar is often met with hurdles to beat, whether that be in-game or elsewhere.
With the trials and tribulations of academy football, one consistent for Holman is the smile etched across his face as he grapples with a task at hand.
“Enjoying your football is such an important thing,” he explained to afcb.co.uk.
“If you’re not enjoying it, on the pitch and off the pitch, you won’t be very happy and you’ll feel pretty down.
“Just playing with a smile on your face can really change your mood and have a real impact on your morale.
“Having that positive mindset going into every game is a big thing.”
Asked how he maintains his mindset, Holman returned: “Staying on top of things, staying professional, that’s so key because that’s what will take you to the next level.”
A boost to that positive attitude came in the under-18s’ Merit League One campaign opener away to Swindon Town.
Having started the clash, the full-back ventured forward to head in a late goal which sealed the three points in a 4-2 victory.
He shared: “It was a great feeling! Scoring for your team, it was great, and to be helping the team as well, that’s amazing.
“Hopefully, I can get more goal contributions over the rest of the Merit League, that would be good.”
The next hurdle in the way of Holman and Dan Carroll’s under-18s comes in the form of Luton Town.
Taking place at Canford Park Arena on Friday 7th April, kick-off against the Hatters is scheduled for 11.30am.
With five Merit League One fixtures down and five more left to play, Holman is clear on the team’s goals until the end of the campaign.
“I think it’s been really tough because we’ve been playing against a lot of older opposition, but the team has really stuck together; that togetherness is so key for us,” he said.
“Now, over the last five game, we’ve just got to push for it because we’ve got such a developing, young squad.
“The best thing for us is to just express who we are as a team and show how well we can play.”
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