Glenn shows value of youth

Athletic boss Lee Johnson played for Athletic reserves in their 4-0 Manchester Senior Cup defeat at the hands of Manchester City at Boundary Park. Here he is tracking hat-trick scorer Jack Rodwell.

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GLENN Belezika has benefited from Athletic manager Lee Johnson's policy of giving young players a chance.

And the inquisitive defender has repaid the confidence by remaining unbeaten in every start for the club.

The teenage centre-back continued his rise from street football to the professional game with a sturdy show in the 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Belezika - in line for a second-year option to be taken up on his contract - now has the task of improving his skills.

"One difference Lee Johnson has made is that his actions speak louder than words," said head of youth Tony Philliskirk, who brought in Belezika two years ago.

"I have heard before that young players will get their chance - but in playing them, the manager has backed it up.

Glenn has done the simple things well and has been helped a lot by Jean-Yves Mvoto and Jonathan Grounds. He is very good as a one-on-one defender — he is all over forwards like a rash — and he is quick as well.

"Glenn has a lot of work to do technically, but he is a lovely lad who wants to learn.”

Philliskirk is keen that Belezika and other players fresh to the senior squad impress Johnson in pre-season training.

"It is important they come back to hit the ground running,” he added. “I have said to them already, ‘go on, force your way into that team’. If you are good enough, you are old enough.

“They have to come back in pre-season fit and dynamic and ready to catch the manager's eye.”


JACK Rodwell was Athletic’s tormentor-in-chief yesterday as the £12m man scored a hat-trick for Manchester City in a 4-0 Manchester Senior Cup win at Boundary Park.Athletic’s reserves were undone by the former Everton man and a further goal from Denis Suarez.
City fielded a strong side which included ex-Athletic junior Micah Richards and fellow defensive kingpin Dedryk Boyata.

Manager Lee Johnson was in the hosts’ starting line-up, which included four trialists.

Two of those were former Athletic left-back Paul Black and ex-Watford winger Matt Wichelow.

Danny Gosset came closest to scoring for Johnson’s men with two efforts in the second half.