Accrington is the right place for me to develop says rising star Ogle

Alex James @alexjameshack

STANLEY starlet Reagan Ogle has a wise head on young shoulders.

The teenage defender is on the cusp of a first team breakthrough at the Wham Stadium and will hope to be involved in the matchday squad for today’s visit of Coventry City in League Two.

But if he misses out on a spot in the matchday 18 you won’t find him sulking.

The 18-year-old has four appearances to his name so far this season, playing a total of 243 minutes. His game time alone this term betters the number of minutes played by all teenagers at 11 Premier League clubs combined last season.

So the Aussie knows he is at the right club for his development and is prepared to be patient in his pursuit of regular action.

He said: “At the end of the day it is down to the manager and if they think you are good enough and have confidence in you then you will play and you have to go out and show them that they are right and show them what you have got.

“You can’t get annoyed at 18 if you are not on the bench, if you are left out a couple of times you have to take it in your stride and move on and try and force your way back in.

“That is hard.

“I played the game the other night (against Blackpool in the Checkatrade Trophy) and then wasn’t on the bench at the weekend (against Luton). But I would rather be fighting for a place in a squad in a team that is going well like we are than not.

“It is all about my improvement this year and any time I get is a bonus. I have already got more than I thought I would this year so it is good.

“If the coaches have faith in you they are going to play for you and luckily for me I have been given a chance, a couple of times on the bench and a couple of times I have managed to come on and I got 45 minutes at Yeovil. At 18 that is all I need, a bit of game time here and there to develop a bit more and Accrington is doing well for me.

“It is a good place to be at the moment and I am enjoying it.”

Ogle arrived in East Lancashire from his homeland aged 11 and has been in the Stanley system ever since.

He has overcome a change in climate, a shift from surfing to soccer and the challenging Liverpudlian accent of his manager.

He said: “When I first arrived here they were all scouse so it was sink or swim, either understand them or don’t talk to anyone! It is a lot easier now.

“It is a good dressing room to be in.

“There is a few that have been around for a while and everyone gets on, there’s no groups. There are no arguments or anything.

“In training they will give you tips, or the wingers will speak to me about how they want the ball and what I should do in situations. They will always help me and are there if I need them so it is good.”