'Stadium of Light is ruthless - but exceptional teen is fearless enough to play for Sunderland'
Salford City manager Karl Robinson has heaped praise on Sunderland loanee Matty Young and revealed why he believes the goalkeeper can go an emulate Jordan Pickford - despite shipping eight goals against Manchester City.
Wearside academy graduate Young has been in tremendous form for The Ammies - buoyed by his breakthrough loan at Darlington last season - having kept seven clean sheets in nine outings for Robinson’s side who sit seventh in League Two.
Football League veteran Robinson sat down exclusively with Chronicle Live to candidly discuss Young’s Salford move, his ‘clear flight path’ and what lessons the 18-year-old can learn from their recent 8-0 FA Cup defeat at Man City. The teenager was forced to be patient before grabbing the starting jersey but he took his chance with both hands. Literally.
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“It was basically Alex Bruce (Salford first-team coach) on a coaching course and I think Watto (Steve Watson, Darlington boss) was speaking to Doddsy (Mike Dodds) and they were saying how great he was," explained Robinson. “We looked at it, and the agent I have known for a long time, he thought it was right for him to come in and compete for the number one spot. We’d just signed Jamie Jones, a very talented goalkeeper, and we knew Jamie was going to start with Youngy still only being 17.”
Young initially struggled to break into the starting XI, limited to a handful of cup appearances, up until his League debut in a 2-0 victory over Harrogate Town.
Robinson continued: “In training, he's been exceptional. In the cup games, he was great and we made that change. In respect to Youngy, I think he's on seven clean sheets in eight (now in nine after 2-0 Fleetwood defeat on Saturday), I think that just speaks for itself. How's he not got player of the month? It's a disgrace!
“His maturity for his age, he's just way above people of that age. He's so controlling in his processes and the direction he wants to go in. Obviously, he's coming from a football club that has produced (Jordan) Pickford and currently the goalie (Anthony Patterson) who is doing really well. So he knows the flight path for himself and he's very, very clear about that.
“Mistakes are part and parcel of what he does and games like against City are also part of the position that he plays. The strength of his character will certainly be challenged and if you're going to be a top goalkeeper, you're going to find yourself in some difficult moments and it's how you cope. I'm sure he'll be better because of what happened.”
Despite being just 18, Young command his box 'impeccably', helped by his 6ft 3in frame. Since breaking into the Salford side, he's made 20 saves and concede only three goals in nine league fixtures. But what has made the teenager such a safe pair of hands?
“Making good saves, putting yourself in good positions," Robinson said. "When we've called upon him, he's been brave. I think he demands his goal impeccably well, I know lads like playing with him.
"He's laidback, he works hard, he dedicates his life, his family come and watch him home and away, he's very grounded.
“You tend to find most kids from the North East who come down are incredibly grounded, tremendous work ethic and a wonderful way. Every time you play games up there you can feel how much football is part of everybody's life. That neck of the woods demands a type of person to cope with the pressures of playing but equally it also demands humility. You can see he's got a lovely way, I don't think he gets carried away or too down and that in itself is testament to him."
Coming up against Premier League title holders and serail cup winner Man City was another huge experience for Young. The hammering was a rude awakening, but despite the scoreline, Robinson believes that it will be a pivotal lesson for Young.
“If that's going to affect him he's not the goalkeeper that I'm saying he's going to be," he said. "I think I've told everyone where this kid's flight path is going towards and that's because I believe in him so much, so if he lets Man City affect him, which I'm sure it won't, that will disappoint me even more than the result.
"I don't think that's going to affect him one bit. It's good for him, bad days are part of life and you have to accept them. And he has to accept what went on that weekend and be better because of it.
"I've stood on the touchline at the Stadium of Light, ruthless… it is ruthless! If you want to play in a cauldron like that, you've got to be fearless.
"I think that's why goalkeepers do so well coming from that area, because the passion of the fans and how crazy they are for their support, they just learn to cope with it.
"Jordan (Pickford) is very similar, I think the way he's brought up playing at Sunderland has massively had an influence. And Youngy is no different to that. The only time I've not enjoyed playing there is through Covid because the passion is just something that, I think, it's generally quite unrivaled right across the country."
Young is set to remain at Salford for the rest of the season, and Sunderland will then make a decision on his next steps in the summer. A further loan could be an option, or he could be brought into the first-team squad if Regis le Bris and his coaching staff feel he is ready.
"It's unfortunate, he's not my player,” Robinson added on next season’s possibilities. "And again, his parents will have their own ways of deciding what he does. Will there be the same manager? All these things that go along with being part of another football club, will determine where he plays next season.
"All I can say is that he's going to be playing on Saturday and I'm expecting him to perform to the levels he's played over recent weeks. I've never looked too far ahead, it's all about what happens today and tomorrow for us.
"And I'm sure because of what happened (against Man City) they will ask continuous questions of him, emotionally as well as technically, or tactically. So he's got to be able to cope with that and again, it's all part of his learning.”