The next few months of the season are vital for our current second year scholars who have not yet had a decision made on their future.

Of the eight players who signed scholarship terms with the Club in 2008-09, four players have already secured professional deals, David Stephens, Dario Dumic, Sam Habergham and Tom Adeyemi.

The remaining four players, George Francomb, Josh Dawkin, Johnbull Osemwegie and Tyree Clarke are currently working hard to impress the first team coaching staff at the Club and earn a contract to begin in the summer.

George Francomb has obviously had a real chance to impress following his involvement in the first team earlier in the season. Unfortunately for him, he picked up an injury in the first team's home fixture against Swindon Town and was out for a reasonably lengthy spell. However, he is fit once more and must look to recapture his early season form for the youth team and when the opportunity arises, impress the coaching staff in training in order to give himself the best possible opportunity to be offered a professional deal.

Josh Dawkin is currently involved in the first team group, however, he has been limited to just a couple of first team appearances. It is important that he makes the most of these opportunities when they arrive and prove to the watching coaching staff that he has the ability to play at the level required. Obviously he must continue to work hard in training sessions and look to cement his place in the manager's squad this season and earn a professional deal in the summer.

As yet the final two second-year scholars Tyree and Johnbull have not tasted first team action, making the final few months of the season even more important for them. They must work harder than they have over the last year-and-a-half, particularly when selected to train alongside the first team group.

Their performances in youth and reserve team matches must be of a very high standard and they must be seen to demonstrate the correct mentality around the training ground. If they can achieve all of this then they will give themselves a real chance of earning professional terms before the season is over.

In short, the opportunity is there for the young players, it is up to them to knuckle down, work hard and perform to the best of their ability for the remainder of the season.

Ricky Martin
Academy Manager