Town boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with debutant Adam McDonnell and fellow youngster Myles Kenlock during Saturday’s final day of the season 1-0 win at Derby. The duo are two of a number of young players who have made an impression during the last few games of the season.

“I thought he was really good,” McCarthy said regarding 18-year-old Dubliner McDonnell, who joined Town from his hometown club Shelbourne in the summer of 2014 following a trial.

“Even when he got booked I was delighted because that’s part of his game. He went to win the ball, he made a tackle and it stopped them attacking, but he competed really well.

“I thought he passed it well and he’s one that I’ve always liked, and, by the way, a big game for him to come in and play as well against that midfield, they’ve some good players there.

“He was knackered when he came off, he was getting cramp. I think the occasion, the pace of the game, he’s not played any at that level, so it was always going to tax him. But when he was on I thought he did well, but he was just shattered.”

On 19-year-old left-back Kenlock’s display, he added: “I thought he saw off both wingers, he’s seen off two really good wide players. Excellent. I’m really pleased, that’s given me real encouragement for next season.”

McCarthy says the impact made by youngsters such as McDonnell, Kenlock, Andre Dozzell, Paul Digby and Josh Emmanuel when given their chance in the senior side has been a big plus during the final weeks of the season.

“It’s great that,” he said. “The problem is that if we’re sat here in the top six and going into the play-offs everybody would be buzzing and that would just be a nice little aside.

“So I’m not trying to use that as some sort of fabulous end to the season, bury the bad news with some good news, that’s not the case. But it’s progress for the club.

“Every year since I’ve been here there’s been progress, 14th, ninth, sixth, OK we’re seventh this year, so it’s just taken a little dip.

“But in terms of getting players through, and we are a club where we’ve spent five hundred grand in terms of transfers, most have been frees and Bosmans, it is great that players are coming through the academy.

“We had Teddy Bishop who came through last year and really sadly he’s been injured for such a long time.

“If Doz comes through and does half as well as Teddy did in terms of playing and these other two then start threatening full-back positions on a regular basis, and we’ve got Clarkey [Matt Clarke] coming back [having been on loan at Portsmouth], which is another plus, that would be great.”

He says Emmanuel and Kenlock haven’t been too far away, having made their senior debuts in the opening week of 2015/16, the former in the first Championship fixture at Brentford and the latter in the Capital One Cup tie against Stevenage.

“They’ve been there or thereabouts in terms of playing,” McCarthy continued. “Andre’s a different ball game altogether, he’s a really talented footballer and anyone who is 16 and gets in the team has got to be that. And he can handle it physically.

“The other two boys, Josh Emmanuel has been out on loan and I was surprised that that didn’t work out at Crawley, albeit his preparation for [his first] game was to travel over Friday, travel to Carlisle and play, he probably didn’t know anybody’s names.

“So it wasn’t the easiest for him and I don’t think he had a particularly good game and it didn’t work out.

“But whenever he’s played in the team here, he played at Manchester United, played at Brentford, he’s done well, so it was nice to see them play against the MK Dons.”

McCarthy says 21-year-old centre-half Digby’s signing on a permanent basis on a free transfer should be tied up without a hitch.

“He’s not our player but we’ve got an agreement with Barnsley, so effectively he is if he agrees to it, I guess.”

Meanwhile, 19-year-old central defender Clarke and Portsmouth will be involved in the League Two play-offs, although the Blues defender is currently an injury doubt with a groin problem.

Pompey, who finished sixth and also feature ex-Blues keeper Brian Murphy and winger Gary Roberts, take on Plymouth with the first leg at Fratton Park on Thursday before they visit Home Park on Sunday.

Photo: Action Images

leahcar88 added 13:45 - May 10 PENGUIN BLUE OUT!!!!!!!!!
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casanovacrow added 14:09 - May 10 I just hope they get a chance to claim a first team spot on merit. Mick's loyalty to under performing players could be a problem.
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planetblue_2011 added 14:26 - May 10 Iaintaylorx, Great team for next season, we can only hope!! My opinion on signings McGougan from weds, lookman from Charlton and go Naki Wells from Huddersfield if Evans gives MM any cash!!
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footyblue added 15:58 - May 10 Too little and far too late..................................................................
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Seasider added 16:50 - May 10 casanovacrow-Agree 100%..Both Ken lock and Emmanuel are better footballers who could replace Chambers and Knudsen from the start of next season. However from Micks interview and track record they will probably have to wait until present incumbents are unavailable,and even though it was the end of season Emmanel was dropped as soon as Chambers was fit.
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Monkey_Blue added 17:31 - May 10 Beattiesballbag- they didn't show they were good enough. There are 24 clubs in the championship and they all have approx 20 players. Good enough might be someone capable of playing in the league, doesn't mean they are in the best 20 across the league in their position. What is not good enough to you? Looks like they have never seen a football before. MM se s the players everyday and given the budget I don't think anyone understands how hard it would be to get us to 7th. This doesn't mean they aren't or won't be good enough but I trust MM more who has watched these kids for hours and hours at U21 level and in training. I hope they prove to be better level championship players but that's not certain yet. If he had thrown loads of kids in and we were bottom three MM is not only costing the club millions, he's costing people their jobs... That's a big responsibility and you can just "start a new game" in real life.

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Edmundo added 17:34 - May 10 I have think we have tor remember that the emergency loan provisionh as gone, meaning that we have to rely on youth. I don't personally like his previous strategy with the kids, but now his hand is forced. I'd personally 've to see 5 or 6 home grown players every match: it's more like the Ipswich way. Equally, we need experience alongside, such as an experienced winger with a youth full back, one young cb alongside an old head. Personally I think we need to look to "upgrade" from Murphy up front, with a more ball-playing hold up striker. Definitely need a box-to-box my too.

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bohslegend added 18:16 - May 10 Grumpy that "2 left sided centre back won't work" suggestion is nonsense. They are professional footballers, yes they have a preferred side but their weak side would be infinitely better than mine and yours strong side. Does your argument also apply to 2 centre midfielders? Or two centre forwards? I doubt it.
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RRanger added 19:29 - May 10 Couldn't agree more Bohslegend - John Terry is decidedly right footed and has always played as a left sided centre back ,both for Chelsea and England. Tommy Smith may prefer to play on the left but to the best of my knowledge has never complained about playing on the right and hasn't used it as an excuse if he has had a bad game. I also remember him scoring quite a good and skillful goal having shifted the ball onto his right foot earlier this season.

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Eireannach_gorm added 23:40 - May 10 “He was knackered when he came off, he was getting cramp. I think the occasion, the pace of the game, he's not played any at that level, so it was always going to tax him. But when he was on I thought he did well, but he was just shattered.” That is why playing these youngsters in the U21's is of no assistance in their step up to the first team. We need to blood them regularly in the senior team or loan them to a good Division One team. West Ham player of the match tonight, Mark Noble, was loaned to us for that very purpose.

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