Leeds United Need Players Between 25 and 28 – Darko Milanic Wary of Blooding Youngsters
Inside Futbol 16/10/14
Leeds United manager Darko Milanic is wary of playing too many young players in the club's first team and has emphasised the importance of players between 25 and 28 years of age taking the lead.
The club's Under-21 side have been flying of late, with young midfielder Chris Dawson bagging a brace in a win on Monday night and pressing his case for inclusion in the first team.
Academy boss Neil Redfearn commented: "He's got to keep plugging away, he's got to keep knocking on the door. His performances speak for themselves."
However, Milanic is wary of throwing too many youngsters into the Leeds team and has stressed the need to rely on experienced players in the large.
Asked in a press conference whether Dawson is in the mix to face Rotherham in the Championship tomorrow, the Leeds boss replied: "Everybody talks about the academy and young players. There are a lot of young players, we have [Lewis] Cook, Dawson, but in the first eleven it is extremely difficult to play only with young players.
"We have to talk about good players, we have to talk about, in one moment, better players, better team.
"Also the players that are 25 or 28 years old are good for Leeds", Milanic added.
Milanic is still looking for his first win in charge of the Whites after presiding over two draws and one defeat since taking over at Elland Road last month.
Leeds United manager Darko Milanic is wary of playing too many young players in the club's first team and has emphasised the importance of players between 25 and 28 years of age taking the lead.
The club's Under-21 side have been flying of late, with young midfielder Chris Dawson bagging a brace in a win on Monday night and pressing his case for inclusion in the first team.
Academy boss Neil Redfearn commented: "He's got to keep plugging away, he's got to keep knocking on the door. His performances speak for themselves."
However, Milanic is wary of throwing too many youngsters into the Leeds team and has stressed the need to rely on experienced players in the large.
Asked in a press conference whether Dawson is in the mix to face Rotherham in the Championship tomorrow, the Leeds boss replied: "Everybody talks about the academy and young players. There are a lot of young players, we have [Lewis] Cook, Dawson, but in the first eleven it is extremely difficult to play only with young players.
"We have to talk about good players, we have to talk about, in one moment, better players, better team.
"Also the players that are 25 or 28 years old are good for Leeds", Milanic added.
Milanic is still looking for his first win in charge of the Whites after presiding over two draws and one defeat since taking over at Elland Road last month.