Old head and young shoulders (From Bucks Free Press)

Old head and young shoulders

12:00pm Friday 10th February 2012

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IT might just be coincidence that five debutants have scored for Wanderers this season, but hearing the players talk about the old father time in their midst it’s not a stretch to think that captain Gareth Ainsworth might have something to do with it.

“He likes to give a lot of advice and that’s helped me settle in quite quickly,” said 20-year-old Matty Whichelow, who scored the equaliser against Tranmere just four days after joining from Watford.

He said: “Gareth has been around for years. He must be the oldest player I’ve played with, but he’s a true professional and keeps himself in shape.

“After the game he told me the things I’d done well and the things I could improve on. That was good of him, he’s a top lad.”

At 38, club captain Ainsworth is a veteran of ten clubs and 20 seasons. He has a rack of t-shirts and his winner against Tranmere meant there was just the 18-year age-gap between scorers.

He said: “One of the things I force myself to do sometimes is get hold of the younger players and give them pointers.

“If I see something I try and make a mental note of it.

“One example was on Saturday with Matty. When he came off I said, ‘Man of the Match, absolutely fantastic, but this will make you even better and he really took it on board.

“I’m not trying to be a school teacher, I really want to help people move on. I want them to earn as much money as they can and go as high as they can.

“It’s a pride thing, because this game is tough and if you can get to the top it’s a fantastic career.”

Ainsworth admits though, that not every young player wants to hear what he has to say.

He said: “The wise word, you can take it on board or not take it on board.

“I remember I used to play with a guy called Phil Stant at Lincoln City. He was a Falklands vet and a goalscorer for Lincoln City.

“He once said to me that the one thing about advice is it’s free. Use it or don’t use it, but always listen. Don’t ever just dismiss it.”

So, for all the youngsters out there who see Ainsworth doing a Teddy Sheringham week in and week out, the secret is simple.

He said: “I’ve trained really hard throughout my whole career. I’ve never not given 100 per cent on any day in 22 years and I think that’s paid off.

“I’ve had a little bit of luck, but the majority of it is just loving competition on a Saturday and a Tuesday night.

“Training sometimes can be harder when you’re older and I have to miss the odd session, but I’ve still got a huge desire to compete on a Saturday and pit my wits against players a lot younger.

“I’m not as quick as I was, but then I’ve got a lot of experience and I can see where some of the younger players are raw and might try to dive in and do something I was doing 15 years ago.

“You get some absolutely quality younger players who have everything, they’re tactically astute with old heads on young bodies. My pace won’t beat them anymore and that’s when it becomes difficult for me.

“I used to be able to out-physical anybody when tactics weren’t working. Now it’s becoming more of a battle.”

However, as he proved on Saturday, if you’re good enough you’re young enough.