South Shields FC boss praises 'elite level' on-loan Sheffield Wednesday youngster

South Shields FC head coach Mike Williamson has heaped praise on on-loan Sheffield Wednesday youngster Joe Emery as he impresses during the early weeks of his time with the Mariners.

The Owls defender has made seven senior appearances for the League One club over the last 12 months and has been handed a chance to earn further first-team experience during a month-long loan stint working under Williamson. Emery endured a torrid time on his Mariners debut as they crashed to a 6-0 defeat against Hereford earlier this month - but has what Williamson described as ‘an elite level mentality’ to help his side bounce back in stunning fashion over the last week.

After producing a solid display on his home debut in a 7-0 FA Cup hammering of Witton Albion, Emery impressed once again in Saturday’s 4-0 victory against National League North rivals Buxton. Williamson revealed he has been impressed with what he has witnessed from the Owls prospect as he prepares his squad for Tuesday night’s trip to Brackley Town.

He told The Gazette: “Joe has got a first-class mentality, it’s an elite level mentality. You saw his first game, those traits were in him during a really difficult afternoon but he never shied away even though he was cramping. He kept going and going. You saw his quality last week, this week, and there’s just no fuss. He’s very low maintenance and anything you ask him to do, it’s just a quick yes and he gets on with it. He’s class and I am really pleased with him.”

‘We are looking forward to the challenge’

South Shields could actually move level on points with league leaders Hereford if they can make the most of their game in hand at Brackley. The original meeting of the two sides was abandoned during the first-half due to a waterlogged pitch at St James Park earlier this month and that has forced Williamson and his players into a challenging midweek away day.

However, the Mariners will hit the road with confidence after claiming back-to-back wins against Witton and Buxton - and the former Newcastle United defender has insisted his side can shine once again if they show the same desire as they have shown over the last ten days.

He said: “It was a tough situation going down there and playing 20 or 30 minutes and then seeing the game abandoned. In terms of our squad, we have some decisions to make ahead of the game and we are asking players to do things we wouldn’t normally ask.

“Doddsy [Dan Dodds], his spirit, the distances he has covered, he’s just phenomenal and we were able to take him off despite trying to manage his game-time as he gets back towards full fitness. There is still a good feeling here, we are confident and we are looking forward to the challenge. It will be a tough game, it won’t be easy but we will go into it and compete like we did today and the result will take care of itself.”

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