Crewe Alex: Thordarson keen for teenagers to prosper
League One
Crewe Alexandra v Bristol Rovers (7.45pm)
by Gwyn Griffiths
TEENAGE prospects Luke Murphy and Danny Shelley are reaping the dividends of Gudjon Thordarson's belief in the old adage: "If they're good enough, then they're old enough".
Crewe's new manager is well-versed in nurturing footballing talent during his several spells at Icelandic outfit IA Akranes, who can count the likes of Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Siggi Jonsson among their homegrown products.
So Thordarson was pleasantly surprised when he arrived in England to find Dario Gradi had thrown in Murphy and Shelley in the last game of his caretaker reign at Hartlepool.
And while his lengthy injury list is showing signs of clearing, he is inclined to leave the youthful duo in his starting eleven for tonight's re-arranged home clash with Bristol Rovers.
While right-back Shelley is still a member of this season's successful youth squad, Murphy is relishing the chance to lay claim to a regular midfield berth after signing his first professional contract last summer.
The Alsager-based player marked his first senior start with a spectacular second-half strike in the 4-1 win at Hartlepool.
It's proved a terrific baptism for a player who has been with Crewe since the age of seven. Last season, he helped the Academy side finish fourth in their league and also featured in the run to the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
"It's been brilliant to get into the side along with Danny and it is up to both of us to keep on doing well to keep our places in the side," said the teenager.
"Dario gave me the chance to get my first start and hopefully the new manager will keep picking me.
"I've played with James Bailey in the Academy sides and was with Danny last year, so that has helped me bed in.
"It's a big gap to first-team football as the pace is so much quicker and you have got to be sharp when you get the ball. If you have too many touches you get rattled."
But the youngster has steered clear of that scenario with two mature performances which have lived up to his pre-billing from Neil Baker.
When he joined the professional rank, the Alex assistant manager compared the 18-year-old to former Gresty Road favourite Danny Murphy and highlighted his goal-scoring potential.
But Murphy noted: "I've not scored as many as I'd have liked, so maybe goal-scoring is something I need to add to my game now.
"But it is just great to be in the side and it would be nice to make my home debut against Bristol Rovers. I was nervous before the Hartlepool game, but didn't feel it so much at Millwall.
"I prefer to play central midfield, but I'm fine on the left and it is getting me in the team, which is the main thing.
"It is good to come in when the side is on a mini-run.
"If we can get a good result against Bristol Rovers it will push us on and we could soon be out of the trouble at the bottom. But we will need to be at our best to get a good result as they're a good side."
Thordarson was positively brimming with enthusiasm after watching Murphy and Shelley in action in Saturday's FA Cup clash at Millwall.
Shelley's well-struck second-half free-kick secured Crewe a 2-2 draw and the prospect of an attractive fourth-round date at either Newcastle or Hull.
"It was good for me to see Danny do that and it is good for the boys to know that I trust them to do a job like that," said the Alex boss.
"With them you couldn't see they were kids out there. As far as I am concerned it doesn't matter how old they are."
Eagerly anticipating his first game in front of the home faithful, Thordarson will be hoping precautionary measures to keep the frost off the Alexandra Stadium surface pay off.
Opposite number Paul Trollope – who has managed just one win in the past nine games – is also keen the game doesn't fall victim to the weather.
"We know Crewe will be wanting to impress their new manager, particularly after their good result in the FA Cup and a great win last week at Hartlepool," said Trollope.
"We need to get back to winning ways, but they've got some pace up front so we will have to defend well if we are going to get anything from the game."
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