Striker says he and fellow academy graduates can form cornerstone of successful League One campaign
Zach Clough says the player with whom he used to car share with during his younger years at the club can help form the foundation for next season’s Sky Bet League One season.
The forward netted his seventh goal of the campaign during the weekend’s narrow defeat at Cardiff City and was one of eight academy graduates in the matchday squad.
And whilst performances on the pitch have yielded few points in recent games, Clough believes a close relationship amongst the younger members of the squad can be beneficial for the club in the coming season.
“It’s going to be tough going in to League One,” Clough told bwfc.co.uk. “We’re going to need fresh legs and the younger players because there are a lot of games.
“None of the younger players have really played in League One before so it is going to be a new experience. We have to take it in our stride and see what happens.
“It’s crazy when I look around the first team now. I used to car share with Rob Holding and Niall Maher when we were in the under-18s together. Now we’re all representing the club we’ve been at for years at senior level. The Cardiff game was the first time we’ve all played together for some time.
“We know each other really well, as do all of the lads that have come through the academy. We know what we are good at and what we are not so good at.”
Young full-back Tyler Garratt made his debut at the Cardiff City Stadium, appearing as a first half substitute following Niall Maher’s red card.
And despite conceding a late penalty, Garratt looked assured for much of the afternoon in a back four that also contained fellow youngsters Rob Holding and Oscar Threlkeld.
“Tyler hasn’t been training with the squad for too long, but he came on off the bench and did really well,” Clough said of his fellow team-mate. “He was gutted with the penalty late on, but we’re all learning with each passing game.
“A lot of the senior lads were talking to him in the dressing room after the game. He had a good debut and I’m sure he’ll kick on the progress despite the way the game ended.”