'Fantastic' start for youngster

Last updated : 15 March 2004 By Andy Parsons
McMahon has been on the bench recently but has not seen any action as Turner has not wanted to gamble with a new player despite the club’s injury problems.

He looked composed, always wanted the ball and made some impressive running in his second appearance at Hillsborough – the first being the LDV cup clash with Scunthorpe.

The Owls boss though had to make the choice to play him, and credit where credit is due, it was a very brave one to throw the youngster in to the deep end in a hotly-contested Yorkshire derby.

He told Radio Sheffield: “Lewis McMahon had a fantastic debut for a young boy – it was a decision (picking him) between a senior player playing out of position or Lewis, and if you don’t put youngsters in then you don’t see whether they can do it – overall he had a good first-team debut but the whole team contributed to the win.”

In the last few years, Wednesday have blooded many youngsters from the academy who have gone on to hold down a regular first-team or squad spot.

Jon Shaw, Richard Wood, Laurie Wilson and Robert Poulter are some players who have been brought up through the club’s youth system and made a name for themselves this season.