Fomer West Brom defender Des Lyttle hails Wolves' star pupil Morgan Gibbs-White
Wolves teenage sensation Morgan Gibbs-White has been told to keep his feet on the ground by the man who helped nurture his footballing talent.
The 17-year-old former Thomas Telford School pupil scored in the Under-17 World Cup final for England’s victorious team. Gibbs-White grabbed the equaliser as the Young Lions roared back from 2-0 down against Spain to emphatically win 5-2.
Des Lyttle, the former West Brom defender who is now director of football at Thomas Telford, coached Gibbs-White during his time at the school.
And he’s challenged the youngster to use it as a springboard to a lengthy career in professional football.
“It’s a great achievement for him at this early stage of his career” said Lyttle, inset. “He always had a lot of natural ability. He could change a game of football any time.
“He’s also got his head screwed on, he was only with use for a couple of years, he came in at Year 10.
“But I saw a difference in him when he first came to when he left, he started to mature.
“He really flourished in Year 11 and I know he made his debut for Wolves last season.
“But he’s got to keep his feet on the ground. He’s made a good start, but at the end of the day it’s about carving out a 15 or 20 year career.”
Wolverhampton-born Lyttle enjoyed a lengthy professional career himself and bounced back from being released by Leicester City at the age of 19 to play for Swansea, Nottingham Forest, Watford, and Albion, among others.
Gibbs-White made eight appearances for Wolves last season after making his debut at the age of 16 in the FA Cup victory over Stoke, but Lyttle thinks it will be tougher to break into the senior side this season. “It obviously depends on where the club is at, he made his debut under another manager,” said Lyttle. “It’s tougher for these kids now, Wolves are spending money, that will make it even harder for Morgan and others like Niall Ennis who came to our school to get a start at the club.
“They’ve spent quite a bit, if Wolves are there or thereabouts in January they will spend again, which might hinder those young lads.
“But if they’ve got the quality they need to be patient. They’ll end up getting a chance some time and they’ve got to make sure they take it.”
