Stone Welcomes Winning Feeling

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Mumbongo at the double as senior men help Clarets keep climbing

2020-12-15T09:29:20.306Z

Stone Welcomes Winning Feeling

Mumbongo at the double as senior men help Clarets keep climbing

2020-12-15T09:29:20.306Z

U23s PREVIEW: Burnley v Norwich City - Image 1

Steve Stone welcomed the winning habit as the Under-23s made it back-to-back victories in Premier League 2.

The Clarets were helped by the presence of returning first-teamers Jack Cork, Dale Stephens and Phil Bardsley who gained valuable game-time as over-age players to aid their comebacks from injury.

And two goals from Joel Mumbongo and Anthony Gomez-Mancini’s first for the club secured a 3-1 win over Reading, which made it three wins in four games for Stone’s side, which is now unbeaten in five games and up to eighth in the table.

“The first-team lads who came in needed the minutes and those games are there for that if they need it,” said Stone.

Stone Welcomes Winning Feeling - Image 1

“Having them around it shows our younger lads how it should be done on a consistent basis and they will learn from them that way.

“Also, they keep the game very simple. They move the ball and play two-touch and their pass appreciation and awareness of others around them is top-drawer, and that’s why they’re Premier League players.

“Our lads have got to sense and learn a bit from that and that’s the message to take away for it.

“And we asked them to take on from last week’s win against Stoke, which was a hard-fought win, and to win again, otherwise last week’s win means nothing.

“It’s not easy to win back-to-back and continue good form like that. Winning is a development and a talent, so we are pleased with that side of it.”

Stone Welcomes Winning Feeling - Image 2

Mumbongo took his tally to four goals in five games with efforts either side of half-time after Gomez-Mancini’s early strike had been cancelled out by the Royals.

His first goal came from teenager Lewis Richardson’s assist, with the combination creating a handful of chances on the back of Richardson’s winner at Stoke a week ago.

“It was nice to see Lewis with another good performance again. His form is getting better and better as he is building up his body and getting stronger,” added Stone.

“And his partnership with Joel Mumbongo is starting to bear fruit and is one of the reasons who those chances are being created.

“It was great again for a 17-year-old at left-back (Owen Dodgson) to create chances down the left-hand side and so there were lots of positives again.

“You want the younger ones to come through and you’ve also got the likes of Richard Nartey, who did well at the back.

“Anthony Gomez was in the (senior) squad at the weekend and these are the players who can not only supplement first-team training, but try and edge their way into that sort of arena and try to make a name for themselves here.

“The opportunity is there for them, because of the size of the squad we have at first-team level. It’s up to them once they go in there.”