Sheffield Wednesday have had to make a change in goal following Keiran Westwood’s injury.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has told the Sheffield Telegraph that he has no problem with playing youngsters as long as they have the required quality.
The Portuguese manager has been forced to call upon 21-year-old Cameron Dawson following an injury to number one goalkeeper Keiran Westwood, and Carvalhal also gave 20-year-old Joe Wildsmith his debut last season between the sticks. While both are young goalkeepers, the manager insists age does not matter.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal before the match
“Cammy and Joe have played because they have qualities and deserved to play,” Carvalhal told the Sheffield Telegraph.
“As I’ve said before, I don’t have any problem playing a 17-year-old or an 18-year-old if they have abilities. The criteria is quality.”
Liverpool legend Alan Hansen famously said “you can’t win anything with kids” when discussing Manchester United’s title credentials back in 1995, with the same crop of youngsters going on to win the Premier League crown in 1996.
Sheffield Wednesday Manager Carlos Carvalhal celebrates at the end of the match
While Sheffield Wednesday are not trying to win the top flight with youth, Carvalhal’s youth policy shows he is not afraid to play younger squad members, insisting that the only thing that matters is quality.
It may have been circumstantial that Dawson was given his Wednesday debut by Carvalhal following Westwood’s injury, but the manager’s words about the youngster deserving to play will no doubt lift his confidence.
A great piece of man management from Carvalhal as looks to manoeuvre a way to the Premier League.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal before the match
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