Tony Pulis praises Middlesbrough’s youngsters as Notts County pay the penalty

Posted Wednesday, August 15, 2018 by PA

Tony Pulis hailed his Middlesbrough youngsters as they claimed a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over Notts County to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.

A Boro side featuring seven debutants and eight players aged 21 or under were able to celebrate after Andy Lonergan saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out following a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes.

Teenagers Stephen Walker and Marcus Tavernier both scored penalties for Middlesbrough, while Nathan Wood came off the bench to become the club’s youngest ever player at the age of 16 years and 75 days.

Pulis said: “It was absolutely fantastic to get all of them on the pitch,” said Pulis, who saw Ashley Fletcher score twice to peg back a Notts County side that also boasted a brace from Jon Stead.

“It was some game. There were six goals, we’ve come from behind three times and I think we ended the game having played eight young academy players. Then we won the penalty shoot-out.

“The support was fantastic. The supporters have come here wanting to enjoy a night, and they’ve seen the young players play. The young ones have enjoyed it, the supporters have enjoyed it and we’ve won, so it’s been a good night.

“Football clubs spend a lot of money on their academies now, and sometimes you get criticised for playing the young players in these competitions. But I’m a great believer that the kids have to play.

“Young players today, playing academy football, it’s not really what is needed to become a professional footballer. When you go out to clubs, you’re playing for a manager who needs to win games because he needs to keep his job.

“If you gave me the chance and the option, I’d get the kids out playing football every week, whether it was in the top tiers of non-league football or any of the leagues.”

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan was equally proud of his players after they took the lead on three separate occasions, only to be brought back on level terms each time.

Stead scored twice for the League Two side, but was one of two Notts County players to fail to beat Lonergan from the spot.

Tom Crawford had opened the scoring for County, with Enes Mahmutovic also on the scoresheet for Boro in a thrilling contest.

Nolan said: “I’m very proud of the players’ efforts. I thought we put on a really good show.

“I know Tony made a few changes, but I made quite a few too. I wanted to see what I could learn about the players, and I thought they came out with flying colours.

“I found out that we can play in different shapes, and that we’ve got the personnel to be able to play in those shapes. To be honest, I’ve learned lots of positive things.

“In the end, we all know penalties are a lottery. I don’t feel sorry for Jon – Lonergan has just made a really good save to keep his penalty out. If it hadn’t have been for Jon, we wouldn’t have been in with a chance of getting to penalties.

“Jon has been absolutely fantastic ever since I’ve come to the club. He’s a model professional, and is still at the top of his game. He’s a great person to have around the club, especially when we’ve brought a few young lads in.”