Simon Davey has pledged to nurture the talent of Football League history-maker Reuben Noble-Lazarus.
Noble-Lazarus makes history in Ipswich defeat
Barnsley manager Simon Davey has pledged to nurture the talent of Reuben Noble-Lazarus after he made Football League history in the 3-0 loss to Ipswich Town.
Noble-Lazarus, aged 15 years and 45 days, became the youngest player in Football League history to make a first-team appearance.
Davey rates the youngster highly, but admits it is key the club do all they can to ensure he remains grounded.
"I was academy manager two years ago and I gave him a start in the Under 18s when he was 12," said Davey.
Confident
"He did well when he came on. He didn't give the ball away. He scored a hat-trick for the youth team against Sheffield United on Saturday.
"I think if they're good enough, they're old enough. I have kept an eye on him over the last two years and have tried to integrate him as quickly as I could into the first team.
"He is a confident lad but he is still only 15. He is a talent and we need to nurture him in the right way."
Goals from Jonathan Stead, Owen Garvan and Ivan Campo handed Ipswich the win, and Davey admitted goalkeeper Heinz Muller endured a disappointing evening.
"Heinz has been magnificent for me since he signed," said Davey. "He has never made a mistake for me. Unfortunately, he has made two errors tonight and probably cost us the game."
Tremendous
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton, meanwhile, spoke of his relief at gaining three points after the club had drawn their three previous Championship outings.
"The result was far more important than the performance," he said.
"We set very high standards at this club, as do the players, and we know we've fallen a little bit short of that.
"I think the crowd reacted tremendously well towards us."
