| I'm certain it was January 2006 when I first saw Alex MacDonald playing for the youth team. The 15-year-old had been drafted in and played in a very inexperienced side against Wrexham. |
Our FA Cup defeat at Derby three weeks earlier had left us with an open date and it gave me the opportunity to get to Gawthorpe to take in the game. It was well worth it too as we beat Wrexham 4-1. The youngster MacDonald started on the right hand side but with the score at 2-1 we made changes and that led to him going up front.
He went on to score two goals although his first was someone fortuitous. The keeper saved and he turned to walk away only for the keeper to kick the ball at him and see it fly in off his back. His second though was a delightful chip over the keeper.
"I like the look of this lad," I said and when he netted the crucial two goals in extra time in the Lancashire Youth Cup Final at Blackpool I was even more impressed.
He became an apprentice in the summer of 2006 and has progressed well. He's played mainly on the right hand side of midfield but even playing in that position he's scored more than his fair share of goals. He's not the biggest but he makes up for that with a good all round game. He's quick enough and certainly strong enough and certainly has that goalscoring knack.
This month he's scored three times in the reserves and the third of those goals came this week playing alongside manager Owen Coyle. That was the reason for Coyle to play, and he's now given Alex, who will be 18 next month, a massive boost by having him train with the first team.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on the kid but we think he's got a big, big chance," Coyle said of him. "So much so, that he will train with the first team for two days (Thursday & Friday) and continue his development. He's been terrific in the half a dozen reserve games we've played him in and that's the type of player we want, a young player with fire in his belly.
"I absolutely love the hunger, desire and natural enthusiasm. I think sometimes you lose sight of that and although you know he will make a lot of mistakes in games, he will run until he drops. I just think it is a real lift for anybody to come and watch the kid, because he's got so much energy. He has that in abundance and hopefully he will continue his development."
Regarding his own appearance again in the reserves Coyle added: "I took part in the reserves to help the kid because I see something in him. I certainly feel if I can be on the pitch next to him and hopefully help him through the game then that will be for the benefit of the football club.
"He's a real live wire, not the tallest kid in the world but physically strong and he can play wide right and through the middle. I've opted to use him through the middle in the last few games and he's been a breath of fresh air.
"He has a little bit of self believe about him which I love, and we think if he can continue his development the right way then he's got a chance, but that's all it is, a chance."
Macca is coming to the end of his two year apprenticeship at the end of this season and he will be one of seven players hoping to win a full time professional contract. The other six are Thomas Bradley, Lewis Craig, Adam Kay, Jonathan Sergeant, Dean Stott and Rob Turner. |
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