Pharrell Willis's "spark" caught Michael Carrick's eye on the Rockliffe training pitches - but it was the youngster's attitude as well as his ability that earned him a debut at Blackpool.
The teenage winger was named in the Boro matchday squad for the first time in his career and was handed his debut from the bench, replacing Isaiah Jones in the late stages of the impressive win at Bloomfield Road.
Carrick and his coaching team have watched Willis closely in the last fortnight and when they decided they wanted an extra attacking option on the bench at Blackpool, it was the 19-year-old they turned to.
Asked what it was about Willis that has impressed him, Carrick said: "A number of things. I'm all for trying to give the younger lads a chance, hopefully that will prove to the rest of the Academy boys there will be opportunities if you're good enough and you do the right things.
"Pharrell has caught the eye. That's football. You see things as a coach. Certain things catch your eye. He plays with that spark, that freedom, he's had a good attitude. It's the choice you make. I'm like that not just with young lads but anyone. You'll get a chance if you deserve it and if you take it, fantastic. Even better when you're a young lad and it's your first one."
Willis replaced Anfernee Dijksteel on the bench at Bloomfield Road, with the decision to include the young winger over the defender a tactical one.
Carrick said: "We just wanted to get an extra attacker on the bench. Pharrell has been good in training, he has given us that spark. It was something we looked at and it was an opportunity to try it."
- READ MORE: How Boro players rated at Blackpool
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