Simon Clark can sense a spring in the step of our latest crop of talented youngsters as they bid to secure their futures in the game.
Our under-18s coach is closing in on the end of an eventful first season in charge, and it’s a time of transition for the squad with one eye already on the next campaign.
“We don’t want to wait,” said Simon. “We don’t want the players to wait, and they shouldn’t want to. They should want to maximise what they’ve got and immediately move onto the next level. There’ll be a plateau, but you take stock and move on.
“We must get that environment and we’re pretty good at it. We’re always driving and demanding as a coaching staff and obviously of the players too, which is really important.”
Listen to the full interview with Simon Clark and Reuben Amissah from the training ground below, including how our under-18s did at the weekend in a player led game.
After an encouraging season so far that included finishing as runners-up in the EFL South East Youth Alliance, the young Dons started their Merit League Division One campaign by taking four points out of six.
Two defeats have followed at the hands of Oxford and Swindon - the latter a narrow 4-3 loss at Swindon - but the priority is development, rather than results.
“You can make decisions, but they can still change,” said Simon. “We’re very open to that with the second years. We speak regularly with the gaffer (Johnnie Jackson) about what he needs and what he thinks.
“We’ve had players go across and train with the first team and players involved in matchday squads, but as those guys shift on, we’ve got an Easter period when the Under-16s will come in and train full-time. They’ll get more match minutes and get used to a game.
“We don’t want to waste time! We don’t want to waste a day or even a minute. We want to get to where they can be and maximise their potential as soon as possible. There’s that slogan – ‘just do it!’
“We do talk about words all the time, but words don’t get you a career. It’s your actions and what you do on a consistent basis that get you up the ladder and where you want to go. That’s part of my remit here.”
First year scholar Reuben Amissah has made his impression on the 18s this season and he’s focused on staying on that upward trajectory towards first team opportunities with us.
“I think it’s really good that the first team gaffer allows younger players to come in and train and see the level they need to get to,” said Reuben. “Coming from the under-16s, I think a lot of players hold back in their first year maybe and don’t think they can be a consistent starter. However, that’s something I didn’t want to happen and instead I'm striving to pick up where I left off.
“I initially signed for the Under-12s and my first coach was Joe Roberts, who is now at Swansea City. Clarky has helped develop me this season and I’ve worked with Rob Tuvey previously too. This season I’ve watched a lot of Martin Odegaard at Arsenal as someone who plays in a similar position to me. He’s also someone I look up to.”