Tuesday, 30th September, 2014
Tottenham Hotspur Under-21 coach Ugo Ehiogu believes that his youngsters will be inspired by one of their number, Ryan Mason, earning a call to the club's senior squad. But the former defender has warned the starlets under his wing that remaining at the top level is a tough task.
Ehiogu led Tottenham Under-21s last night in an Under-21 Premier League fixture against Manchester United, seeing two late goals condemn his side to a 2-1 defeat.
Mason meanwhile played and scored in Spurs' win over Nottingham Forest in the League Cup last week, while he then kept his place in the starting line-up for Saturday's 1-1 north London derby draw away at Arsenal.
And Ehiogu is sure the starlets watching on will have been inspired to taste what Mason has now tasted.
"It's definitely a carrot", he told Spurs TV.
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"The more the boys play with the first team and go and train with them, the more experience they get and the more they want it."
However, Ehiogu also believes that the youngsters must not think when they get a chance that they have made it, with plenty of work being required to remain at the top level. He is though confident they are progressing.
"They've still got to earn that right. People always say it's hard getting there, but it's even harder staying there.
"I feel confident that they are on the right track as long as they are learning."
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