We had a chat with Steven Rudd following the Central League Cup defeat to Blackburn.
The Blues fielded a very young side, against a Blackburn side filled with seasoned pro’s. Steven gave us his overview of the game:
“It was an education, I think that's how we've got to look at it. We've worked hard out there, they've got well over 1,000 league appearances under their belt between the squad and we've got three or four 16-year-olds on the pitch, first-year scholars, which is great.
“If you put the game into context, the scoreline was very disappointing and the manner of a couple of the goals was also disappointing.
“Our lads will be miles better off for that education, playing up against senior pros.”
On what they’ll learn from that, Steven said:
“Concentration, decision-making, the speed of the game and doing the basics. They'll learn that that's men's football. Mistakes get punished and to get to the next level of where they want to go, they're the small margins that you have to get right."
Rovers fielded the likes of Todd Cantwell, Callum McFadzean and Joe Rankin-Costello, amongst others. We asked Steven about facing that level of quality, and experience, he said:
“They've all played over 100 Championship games each. They've come with a really strong side and that's great. We've got out of it what we wanted out of it as well. We've got Jack Robinson back on the pitch.
"Jack Ellis has got good game time. Gabe Breeze has got 90 minutes. Harrison Neal's got 90 minutes.
“The scoreline is very disappointing. But on reflection, there is positives to take for all the young lads and our older lads in the squad as well.
“We haven't got an under-21 squad. So we have to get our lads as close to being ready at 18 years old as possible.
“We could have played Blackburn's youth team today and it would have been a game of football, more competitive. But actually, we've got more out of that. Even for our second years, they've got to be that ready this time next year if they want to progress in their career.
“The club's got an identity, a vision, a style of play which is excellent. And it's up to us now to educate the youth team and the academy lads to get to that level and understand it.”
Mike Williamson and his coaching staff were in attendance, Steven spoke on their arrival and the involvement of the younger lads:
“They've involved lads in the training. Freddie got on on Saturday.
“Mike has openly said that if they earn the right and are good enough, he wants to provide pathways for the lads. We can't praise them enough in the couple of days they've been in. And hopefully we'll now see lads coming through.”
One big highlight was seeing Jack Robinson back on the grass at Brunton Park, Steven shared that sentiment, saying:
“He's trained really well for a couple of weeks now. He’s a great lad. He's chomping at the bit to get back. And that 20 minutes there for him is massive.
“Just psychologically, more than physically. But he's a great lad and hopefully he can go on now and start kicking on again and get himself back involved.”
With Mike Williamson and his team coming in, it’s been a transitional period for Steven, Mark [Birch] and Jamie [Devitt]. Steven spoke about that:
“We're here to help. If they need help with anything, at any time, we're more than happy to help. It's been great. They've worked with us, we've worked with them.
“They're great people, they're really open and honest. We're here to support them to be successful and it was good on Monday. The first thing he said is we won on Saturday, as a club, as staff, as people.
“I can't praise them enough. We're here to support them, help them in any way we can.”
