BAILEY SAVOURS FIRST SENIOR OUTING

BAILEY SAVOURS FIRST SENIOR OUTING

Young goalkeeper reflects on his appearance in Friday's friendly at Wycombe...

Young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell says he relished his first outing with the senior team after coming on as a late substitute in Friday’s friendly victory away to Wycombe Wanderers.

The 19-year-old, who signed professional terms with the club over the summer, replaced Marco Silvestri in the closing stages of the win at Adams Park after training with the first team in recent months.

Bailey has made the step up to feature for our Under-21s this season after impressing with the U18s last term, despite an injury which saw him sidelined for several months.

Injury to second-choice stopper Ross Turnbull, coupled with international calls for fellow youngsters Charlie Horton and Eric Grimes, presented Bailey with what he described as “a great opportunity” on Friday night.

“It felt great, it’s what you work for,” he told leedsunited.com.

“I’ve been training with the senior team for a bit now and I’m just really happy to be given a chance, even for just five or 10 minutes.

“I’m grateful for the gaffer and the coaches for putting me on. It was really pleasing and a step in the right direction for me.

“It was a great opportunity. With other ‘keepers being elsewhere it was the chance for me to travel and try and be involved. Luckily it happened for me and I’m really grateful.

“Steve Evans said a few things before I went on. He said ‘Good luck, be positive and be confident’.

“I’ve been mainly getting one-on-one chats with Richard Hartis, the goalkeeping coach, telling me how I’m developing, where he sees me and what the plans for the future are.

“There are some really good goalkeepers at the club – Marco, Ross, Charlie and Eric. It’s great competition for me and it only makes us all better.”

Asked about learning from Silvestri, United’s number 1, Bailey added: “He won a few Man of the Match awards last season and was up for the Player of the Year.

“He’s great to learn off and try to emulate. His shot stopping is unbelievable and that’s what I want to try and bring into my game.

“Off the field he’s great. He’s helpful and supportive – he’s great to have around.”

Bailey was part of the U18s team who took on Chelsea at Elland Road in last season’s FA Youth Cup clash, meaning many supporters were already aware of him following a fine display between the sticks that night.

But Friday was his first outing in front of the travelling fans, with just under 800 in attendance at Adams Park, and he says his appetite has been whet for more of the same.

“The Leeds fans are brilliant home and away, so credit to them,” he said. “Playing in front of those fans in stadiums is where I want to be and it’s what all of us are trying to progress to.

“Friday was a step forward for me. I want to be with the first team and I hope to get more chances, whether that’s now or in the years ahead.”

Bailey was speaking following Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town for our Under-21s, a game which he believes had contrasting halves at Thorp Arch.

“We were a bit slow out of the blocks in the first half, but Paul Hart had a chat with us at half-time and we livened up,” he said.

“We looked a bit more threatening up front and we tightened up at the back. It was a much better performance in the second half.”

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