Newcastle United starlet Adam Wilson has impressed for the reserve team.
Newcastle United reserve team boss Peter Beardsley has lavished praise on teenager Adam Wilson, The Chronicle reports, and says he should use first-team regular Vurnon Anita as inspiration.
The 16-year-old is a winger by trade but impressed in an unfamiliar left-back role as the young Magpies battered Bradford City 6-0 in the Central League Cup, marking another impressive performance in his first season after breaking into the second string side.
The fact that Wilson is just one, albeit substantial, step away from the first-team at such a young age is impressive enough but Newcastle legend Beardsley believes it is his versatility that could help him stand out – just like reliable all-rounder Anita.
“[Wilson] thinks he’s a left winger, but last year we did the same with [fellow reserve player] Adam Laidler. He was left-sided, but occasionally he had to play at left-back for us and he did well,” Beardsley told The Chronicle.
“In the modern game – if you look at what Vurnon Anita is doing for the first team now – it is possible for you to play both positions.
“It’s a good thing for Adam Wilson that he has that versatility.”
27-year-old Dutchman Anita began his playing career with Ajax as a dynamic left-back but has utilised his tenacity and ball winning tendencies to flit between defensive midfield and right-back roles at St James’ Park.
However, he has played the majority of his games on the right side of defence under Rafa Benitez this season, keeping flying full-black DeAndre Yedlin out of the starting XI on occasions.
Therefore, Wilson could do worse than to imitate Anita and use his all-round ability and make himself indispensable to his future manager – Benitez perhaps.
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