Reuben Silk says the team are always learning after their home defeat to Coventry City.
The Under-18s suffered a 2-0 loss at Bishop Burton College in the Professional Development League, with the Tigers also being reduced to 10 men after Charlie Leach’s red card.
“We gave away two early set-pieces and they obviously score from one, but I thought we started both halves off slowly. However, I feel as a team when we had the ball, we actually played quite well,” said Silk.
“We got out of our half quite well most times and the midfield got on the ball a lot, but I felt like we could have got on second balls more and we needed to create more opportunities in the final third.
“Coventry scored again early in the second half and we went down to 10 men, but we showed character because we could have dropped our heads when we went down to 10 men, but we played quite well and it was just an unlucky day for us.”
Alongside two unnamed trialists, the Tigers had six first-year scholars starting the fixture, including Silk.
Finishing the game with the introduction of two Under-16 players in Bobby Moore and Ted Gode, Silk added that it was a good learning experience for the team against a physical Coventry side.
“Coventry were probably the most physical side we have played this season with the two big strikers and two big centre-backs, but I thought when the two Under-16s came on in Bobby and Ted, they did well,” explained Silk.
“There are a lot of first-years playing week in, week out, because the second-years have moved up to the Under-21s. We played quite well and it is a good experience for us, because there are teams like that who are very physical so it is a good learning curve.
“Since I came back from injury at the end of February, I think I have played quite well,” added Silk on playing regular minutes for the Under-18s.
“Barnsley was my first 45 minutes back and I did really well. I carried that on against Sheffield United, Peterborough and then Coventry. I felt like I got on the ball quite a lot, but I still feel like I can do more, but the past four games I have really enjoyed it.”
Learning under two former midfielders in David Meyler and Mark Beard, Silk commented on the management duo, saying: “They have helped me a lot, especially in training, and because they played in that position, they have a lot of experience.
“Dave has played in the Premier League and Mark has played in the Football League, but they both have helped me and I have carried their advice into games; I feel like I am getting better.”
The Under-18s face a trip to Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday 25 March before welcoming Southern side AFC Bournemouth to Bishop Burton College on Saturday 29 March for the final run of fixtures in the 2024/25 season.
Focusing on the trip to Cheshire, Silk said: “We can bounce back at Crewe. The lads will have to recover well, but the game is a good opportunity to get back to winning ways so quickly and then we will focus on Bournemouth after Crewe.
“Crewe will be a good team. I think the last time we played them we drew 1-1, but they’re a team that are good on the ball. They aren’t as physical as Coventry were so I think it will be a different test, but I feel that if we take elements from the Coventry performance and create more opportunities, we can get a result there.”
