Russell confident Reynolds can pass with flying colours
Playing men’s football in the top flight with a club desperate to rid themselves of their status as the worst team in the league is a test for any footballer.
Add to the mix the burden that comes with sitting the Leaving Certificate and the pressure truly is on. But while results – just two wins in 13 games – indicate that times are hard for Sligo Rovers, for manager John Russell it’s a case of asking his young players to cope and juggle, as well as deliver on the field.
After two sub appearances in the league’s early phase, Conor Reynolds has started the last nine games for Sligo at a time when the defender is also preparing for his Leaving Cert.
“He has had to juggle a lot with travelling and the demands of playing Premier Division football. In the position we are in, we need to be getting wins and putting points on the board. He’s had a lot to juggle, but he’s a player we have a really high regard for. He has a bright future,” says Russell.
With so much at stake in the league financially, in terms of the lure of European qualification or the hit that would come from relegation, it’s no wonder clubs prefer complete focus, hence the decision by some players to drop out of school at 16/17 to give their all to football.
Russell is the only manager in the top flight with a degree so understands the value of an education too.
“I was a player in the league who was fortunate enough to go on to third level and get a degree in NUIG,” he says. “It’s important players are doing stuff in terms of education, whether that’s finishing school or going to third level like Gareth McElroy. He’s studying in ATU, so we juggle with him in terms of training and studying to allow him do that. You need to have flexibility. As long as players are available for matches, that’s the main thing. We can offload them in training to allow them to study.
“We sat down with Conor and his parents in the off-season to work out a schedule where he was in once a week with us until [the] summer time, then he will be in full-time. We have all stuck to that and the club here has a scholarship partnership with ATU.”
At 27, goalkeeper Sam Sargeant is the oldest man in the Sligo team and last week their starting XI had four players aged 20 or under: Jad Hakiki (20), Owen Elding (19), Reynolds (18) and Gareth McElroy (17). Elding was a standout in their 3-2 loss away to champions Shelbourne with a truly stunning goal.
“It is no surprise to me to see him do what he is doing. I have known Owen since he was 11 when I was Sligo development officer. He has been in and around the first team since he was 17. His progression last year was probably a frustration for him in that he made 25 appearances but only two or three of those were starts,” says Russell.
“But you have to be patient with young players. Now he has shown what he is about. We can see he is impacting games. What I love about him is his mentality.”
The squad may be revamped in the July window and while Ireland U-21 cap Jack Henry-Francis, who had a spell on loan to Sligo from Arsenal last season, could be available as he’s believed to be on his way out of the Gunners. Russell expects a battle for his services.
“Jack has ambitions to try and play at the highest level. When you see him sitting on the bench in Champions League games and Premier League games, I am sure his goal would be to try and stay in England,” added Russell ahead of tonight’s game at home to St Pat’s.