Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 10:00
Youth prove their value
By Anthony Smith
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Young guns: James Henry (left) is contratulated by fellow Academy product, Gylfi Sigurdsson, following his goal in Reading's 5-1 win against Luton Town.
JAMES Henry is urging Reading to give youth a chance - and save themselves a fortune.
The 19-year-old homegrown midfield was among a crop of youngsters who thumped Luton Town 5-1 in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday night.
Three of them - Henry, Alex Pearce and Jem Karacan - all got on the scoresheet, while Henry also netted his first in a Reading shirt at Dagenham and Redbridge in the opening round.
Now the talented Royal, who turned down Chelsea a few years ago, is determined to become a first-team regular and challenge Jimmy Kebe for the right-midfield berth.
“Alex Pearce and I are fairly local and we’re probably the only two left who have come the whole way through the Academy,” stated Henry, who has been on loan at Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Norwich.
“It hasn’t happened very often but if the club can keep doing it they will save a lot of money.
“I think I am (a challenge to Kebe). By Christmas time I really want to be pushing. If it comes sooner it would be fantastic.
“But I’ve got to wait my turn and when I get my chance hopefully I will take it.”
For now Henry, who grew up in Woodley, hopes to keep his run going in the Carling Cup. “I have two in two now, I’m on a roll,” he quipped. “ “I thought I did well against Luton, as did the other youngsters like Jem Karacan, Julian Kelly and Alex Pearce who scored a great goal.
“It’s a real step forward for all of us and it’s fantastic for the club and the fans to see youngsters finally coming through. We’re integrating with the senior players and playing well as a team.
“It would be fantastic to draw a Premier League team away from home in the next round. I’d like Tottenham away and it would be a great experience for the young lads for future league games.”
Meanwhile, Pearce, 19, is not so fussed about Reading’s third round opponents.
The centre-back insisted: “I don’t care who we get. I suppose most will want a Premier league club but, personally, I would prefer someone from the lower division because it will give us a better chance of going through and going as far as we can.
“It was a great performance against Luton. We played quick, high-tempo stuff especially in the first half and it’s good to be in the next round.”
Pearce, tipped by first-team Kevin Dillon to become a first-team regular, added: “All I can do is keep playing well when I get my chance and be as solid as I can. Hopefully that will be good enough.
“It’s great to pull on the Reading shirt. I have come through the ranks and to be involved with the first team is fantastic.”
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