Under 23s boss Dmitri Halajko has tried to bring some perspective to one of the mosyt disappointing seasons in the club’s recent history.
Promoted to Premier League Division One last term the team is currently rock bottom of the League with just nine points from 16 games and seven points worse off than Southampton who are second bottom.
After their promotion last season that could hardly be more distressing for the team and the boss and the 5-0 defeat against Manchester City on Monday was yet another shock to the system.
But Haljako refuses to be too downcast about the situation claiming that at this level it’s more about players developing as individuals rather than team success – important though it is to play as high as possible.
The success of the team is also dependent on the best players being available but as some breakthrough either to the team of the first team bench and being unavailable that can affect performances.Orthers of course are sent out on loan to develop at league level.
The under 23 boss told whufc.com: “I think the most important thing they concentrate on is their individual journey at the moment.
The time of the season where decisions are made on contract renewals is coming up, and the players will want to push on and progress. If you don’t get that right, nothing else really matters.
“Individual development is always the number one priority. The team’s development is still a priority, but secondary.
“At the moment we haven’t really got enough individuals pushing in the right direction. That’s where we need to look. We need to look at ourselves as individual players and look ourselves in the mirror and say ‘how can I be better and how can I push on? How can I make sure we get to the next level?’.
“I think we all just need to concentrate on ourselves at the moment and get the best possible version of ourselves out on the pitch, week in, week out, and then hopefully individuals can start progressing and that will help the team progress. “
