Shawcross: Disappointed, but the future is bright
Stoke City Under-21s coach Ryan Shawcross heaped praise on his side’s impressive Staffordshire Senior Cup run following the Potters’ 1-0 defeat against Leek Town in the semi-final of the competition.
City exited the Senior Cup at the penultimate stage of the tournament as Leek, now unbeaten in their last 20, found a late winner when a whipped cross glanced onto the heel of Freddie Anderson and beyond Blondy Nna Noukeu.
The Potters beat two significantly older sides in Wolverhampton Casuals and Stone Old Alleynians on their way to the last four of the competition.
Shawcross, who has led the Under-21s throughout their Staffordshire Senior Cup campaign, praised his side’s ability to adapt to tough conditions during the competition, and revealed that he believes the current age group is one to be encouraged by.
“They have done really well, I know that people may think that the teams we play against are easy to beat but it’s difficult due to the conditions, the pitches we play on, and playing against older players,” the Academy coach explained.
“A lot of the time we put out a mixture of Under-18s and Under-21s players that haven’t been playing together much and players who are coming back from injury, so there is a lot of reasons why it’s difficult.
“The attitude from the players all around has been good, it’s just about that management of the game which will come with age, but Leek had that edge today which is what cost us.”
Shawcross added: “This is a group to be excited about, there are some really good players in there. I thought Sol Sidibe stood out today; he was fantastic in the middle of the pitch.
“As an ex-defender myself, I could really acknowledge how well Christy Grogan played today too, and Owen Powell as an Under-16s player playing men’s football was great.
“It’s great for him, it shows us what levels he is at that he can come into this team at this age and look like he belongs at this level, he is another bright one for the future.”
The Potters’ cup run also played host to the development of Shawcross as a coach, with the former City captain playing the role of Lead Coach for the first time in his coaching career during City’s run in the competition.
The 36-year-old says that he has greatly benefitted from what has been an enjoyable experience of taking his own team in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
“I have felt more comfortable with every round, more comfortable in front of the lads, I have never led a team, so this is the first time I have done it. I have really enjoyed it and I’m glad that I have been given this experience,” Shawcross continued.
“It’s something I want to work on, but I have loved this tournament, I have really enjoyed it and to come to these grounds which are really difficult and offer the lads an opportunity to see that if they don’t make it this is the kind of level they could be playing at.
“I’m naturally disappointed we didn’t make the final but we have taken plenty of positives away from this.”
