"In general things are on track with the youth team, and I think we are better than last year.With the experience I got from last year and the experience that the first years have gained and taken into their second year.It's been a tough year for some of them and quite a few of them have realised that it's quite a difficult job this.Its great coming straight from school and all of a sudden thinking you're a footballer, there is a lot of hard work to do and they have shown some good sides of that so far."

"It does take time for a first year to settle and then on into his second year, but everyone is different.If they have physically developed then it's probably easier to progress at an early age.There are one of two that have come in that are not used to physically training every day and playing against men at times.It can be tough for them."

"It's difficult for them over pre-season because that's the time that they have to get fit, especially for the young lads that have come straight from school, but so far it's been good and I've been delighted with what I have seen so far."

"We've got eight new first year scholars this year and so far they have shown me a desire and a good attitude that they want to become footballers.Last year there was one or two mistakes made in the early stages of the season.I felt that I had got them ready to become a football team at the start of the season.What's more relevant and it's something that I am getting better at.I've got to educate them over the next two years, not just about being footballers, but about becoming professional people and improving.If they have a weakness, how do we improve that?If they have a strength, how do we maintain it?Every single one of them is different and we have to tweak them in different places as often as we can."

"I was very pleased to see three of the lads getting professional contracts last year (Rouse, Dorney & Anane), but in my opinion, disappointed to see that they wasn't used to help in their development a lot more, but again, it's a learning curve.If people think they are not ready for it, then that's there right.Managers have their lives on the edge with their jobs.Alan came in last year and he took Dale Stephens out, Jack Dorney didn't get too many games, but that's because the first team were performing.These boys have got to produce on a daily basis to make sure they get in the team."

"Players don't become seasoned pro's for nothing, you become a season pro because you put the work in and you do it daily and be very consistent.Domaine Rouse got into the first team and he scored a goal, but he didn't push on and that what I have to get into them.I remember saying last year that it's not just about making your debut, it's about making a career and to be able to make a career in the game you have to do a lot of things well, and consistently well."

"You have to keep telling these young kids, keep on top of them and making sure they have good habits.Now and then they will try to get out of things quickly, if it can be done lazily, it will be done lazily, but the good players don't do that.The good players do things right, do things well and do things at the best of their ability."

"The lads do a lot of preparation for the first team and it's about getting that mindset and mentality.It's about thinking about the options that have, what difficulties they have to face and they have to do that on a Saturday morning in a football pitch, they have to think about what's going to be a problem and what to do to solve it."

"Three years ago, Colin Kazim-Richards played for our youth team, three weeks ago he was in the semi final of Euro 2008.That's the inspiration for these lads.We were all surprised that he went on to play at this level, but without a doubt, he has shown these lads that it can be done.They have to believe, they have to work and they have to put the effort in.It didn't come by magic for Colin.It's a simple message, that's what can be achieved.Colin was absolutely fantastic in the semi final.It's a great barometer for them to see, the world is their oyster. Good luck to them and at the moment I have been delighted with how they have performed, their attitude has been first class and if they carry on like this, then we are in for a good season."