Crewe manager Steve Davis has been impressed with the performances of 19-year-old midfielder George Cooper.
Cooper has made 21 appearances in total for The Railwaymen so far this season, most notably netting a stunning free-kick in Crewe’s 1-1 draw with Southend on Tuesday.
In what has been the second full season in Crewe’s first team for Cooper, the youngster has sufficiently impressed boss Steve Davis enough to warrant an extended run in the first team up until this point.
Despite Cooper’s impressive performances this season, his side still languish desperately in the League One relegation zone, eight points adrift of survival.
It appeared Cooper had given Crewe a renewed shot at survival on Tuesday night, stepping up before striking a vicious shot past helpless Southend keeper Daniel Bentley in the 86th minute at Roots Hall. However, Cooper’s heroics were cancelled out in the dying embers of the match, as a penalty conversion from Southend’s Jack Payne prevented The Railwaymen from snatching a vital three points.
Speaking after the game’s conclusion, Crewe boss Steve Davis lauded the play of Cooper:
“It was a really great goal from George,
“we know he is capable of doing thing like that.”
Despite flashing talent in a number of games this season, Davis warned the youngster still has a long way to go before becoming a complete player:
“It has taken some time and he will have some games where he doesn’t reach the standard required because he is still young but we have to preserve with him because he is a talent.”
“We are all pleased for him and when he is on form he can produce game changing moments like that.”
Cooper will have further opportunities to impress as the season progresses, and will likely become a regular first team starter if his side are unable to escape relegation and find themselves playing in League Two next season.
