Mowbray wants Williams to stay at club

TONY MOWBRAY wants Rhys Williams to ignore the temptation to start next season with a Premier League club and be part of Boro’s fight to regain their top flight status.

Bolton Wanderers are expected to test Mowbray’s resolve to keep the Australia international, dubbed a “Rolls Royce” player by the manager, who is among the latest batch of much-coveted products to have rolled-off the Rockliffe Park production line.

Outside the dressing rooms after Saturday’s game, Doncaster Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll patted Mowbray on the shoulder and murmured his own admiration for Boro’s talented youngsters. The visiting manager later admitted his players had been “chewed up and spat out” by a rampant home side who ended their season more like title contenders than mid-table alsorans.

While Mowbray welcomed the plaudits from the magnanimous Rovers boss he is less enamoured by the Premier League vultures, some of whom had scouts at the Riverside at the weekend, circling around starlets such as Williams and Joe Bennett who are part of what is shaping up to be another golden generation of Academy products.

Propelled by Richie Smallwood, Cameron Park and debutant Adam Reach, an exuberant end of season victory was assured which secured Boro a fourth win on the bounce and a place in the top half of the Championship table. On recent evidence Mowbray’s side are a match for any in the division.

However, the loss of Williams, who distanced himself from reports last week that he was seeking a move, or left-back Bennett would puncture the optimism that is returning to the club after a protracted spell of gloom.

According to Mowbray this will be a summer of “readjustment and re-assessment”.

Kris Boyd, Julio Arca, Willo Flood and Andrew Taylor may have played their last games in Boro colours but the manager is determined to build next season’s promotion bid around his promising young assets.

Boro fans fear the summer break offers a chance for cashrich clubs to cherry pick from the squad but Mowbray stressed that there is no pressure to sell any of his youngsters and urged them to see through the job they’ve started.

“The talent is there and needs to be brought on as part of the squad,” said Mowbray whose side finished in 12th spot, their highest position since the third game of the season. “I am not sure who is going to move and who we will lose. I’m under no pressure to sell (the young players).

“We have some talented young boys. The importance of matches doesn’t always allow you to blood them, but you have to be brave and thrown them in.

“Rhys Williams is so athletic and agile, that he can play in any position and is so calm on the ball. Now he needs to play 40 games for us next season and let’s see how well he can do week in, week out. He needs a season under his belt.”

The transformation that Mowbray has wrought to revive Gordon Strachan’s flaccid squad has been dramatic and should convince his players they can flourish under the Teessider’s guidance.

Midway through the second half Park had the cheek to aim an overhead kick at Neil Sullivan’s goal that almost caught the veteran keeper off-guard.

You can’t imagine that type of thing happening under Strachan. The Scot seemed more concerned with stifling the opposition than allowing his players any freedom of expression, whereas Mowbray’s side combine discipline with swagger.

The afternoon wasn’t all about precocious youth. At the end of a low-key first half Barry Robson struck a thunderous free kick from 20 yards that showcased his ability to pepper his industry with flashes of game-changing quality. Fellow midfielder Thomson turned in a commanding performance to continue his renaissance, and Leroy Lita showed a desire to impress although he again lacked composure in front of goal. After fluffing some giltedged chances the striker finally added to Robson’s opener when he turned and shot across Sullivan before earning himself a yellow card for an over-the-top shirtless celebration. He might have netted a hat-trick, as could the excellent Marvin Emnes, another player who has been reborn under Mowbray.

Rarely can the cliche about not wanting the season to end have been more appropriate.

Left-sided midfielder Reach capped an impressive first team debut with a calm strike from Thomson’s pass that came seconds before the curtain fell down on the campaign.

It left you wanting more. Mowbray hopes the likes of Williams will feel the same.