BAURESS GRATEFUL FOR CONSISTENCY FOLLOWING LENGTHY INJURY

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Midfielder enjoys successful season with first team and U21s

2025-06-04T14:40:26.467Z

BAURESS GRATEFUL FOR CONSISTENCY FOLLOWING LENGTHY INJURY

Midfielder enjoys successful season with first team and U21s

2025-06-04T14:40:26.467Z

Midfielder enjoys successful season with first team and U21s

As a footballer, the significance of consistency and the ability to play week in week out can sometimes be overlooked.

One player those facets of the game aren’t lost on is Joe Bauress, who spent just over a year on the sidelines after damaging the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee.

The midfielder bounced back from that low to make more U21s appearances than any other player in 2024/25 (44) in addition to two outings with the first team in the Emirates FA Cup.

As such, he looks back at the latest chapter of his young career hugely positively.

“Individually it’s been a good season, with the highlight being my first team appearances,” he said.

“I think I did well after coming through pre-season fit enough to play games again after a full year out.

“I’ve played 45+ games, which at the start of the season was my aim.

“Ahead of my first game back (AFC Bournemouth) I remember being nervous.

“I was doing everything within my power to make sure my knee was alright, but I had no real problems with it.

“The game went well and since then I’ve just tried to kick on and build those performances, and consistency was what the physios and I spoke about during the rehab.

“You don’t want to come back and get injured again, so my goal was always to stay fit and make sure my knee and body are alright because it’s a big jump from nothing to the most appearances in the U21s.”

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Bauress’ influence on the pitch has been felt in many ways this season, not least by the 10 goals he scored from his position in defensive midfield.

Moreover, the 19-year-old took over the U21s captaincy when Benn Ward departed for Accrington Stanley in January.

“That (10 goals) was my goal at the start of the season, so to get there in the last game was good,” he continued.

“It was an aspect of my game that I wanted to improve, especially playing in the U21s.

“I wanted to take it (the captaincy) on after Benn left so when Faz (Andy Farrell – U21s Manger) had a word and said I would be, I was happy to lead a good bunch of lads out every week.

“I try and look after all the lads and make sure that off the pitch everybody’s alright and healthy.

“I live with Benn, so he’s helped me a lot. He was the captain before me and I’ve taken stuff from him and Corky (Jack Cork – U21s Assistant Manager), as well as from when I was in the changing rooms with the first team.

“You need to be more of an all rounder with the lads and make sure that everybody’s together by having good relationships.”

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Having the opportunity to lean on somebody as experienced as Jack Cork, who was playing in the Premier League the season before last, is not something that’s lost on Bauress.

It’s extra prominent given they play the same position, and the Liverpudlian explained how his new Assistant Manager has helped him.

“Corky’s been the biggest help this season,” the midfielder explained.

“In most sessions with the U21s he’s been doing extras with me.

“It’s his experience on and off the pitch – every time I come in, I see his car here and he’s always the first in.

“You see those standards from him as a player and he’s exactly the same as a coach, giving 100% every day. It’s been good.”

Bauress made his first team debut as a 16-year-old, replacing CJ Egan-Riley in a Carabao Cup victory over Crawley Town in November 2022.

More than two years later the youngster, who has been capped by England at U18s level, earned his first start in our Emirates FA Cup third round victory over Reading.

He was able to play the entirety of January’s match in Berkshire and set up Lyle Foster’s opening goal with a pinpoint delivery.

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Reflecting on that day and his experiences with Scott Parker’s side this season, the 19-year-old finished: “That’s what I looked at before the game (having an impact).

“I didn’t want to make a debut for a debut’s sake – I wanted to put my own standpoint on it, and I think I did that.

“I got an early touch that settled me down a bit and from then I grew in confidence with experienced players around me.

“Obviously, it was a good day for me with the ball in for Lyle as well but the whole thing was positive – I didn’t really misplace any passes.

“It made it a bit easier, stepping up to the first team with better players around me and it was a good opportunity – it felt like I took it.

“Training with them gets you to a different intensity to the U21s. The U21s’ standards are very high but the first team’s are on a different level and you notice the difference when you come back down.

“You feel sharper and fitter every day and that’s why in the two games that I did play with the first team I was used to the pace, so I could adjust to the game.

“Hopefully, I can push on now and show what I can do."