Melbourne City refuses to let impressive first-gamer Nathaniel Atkinson rest on his laurels.
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Facing the daunting task of A-League benchmark Sydney FC away is a sure way to test the 18-year-old’s resolve.
The former Riverside Olympic junior is a certain starter for Friday night’s encounter at right back after a strong senior debut five days earlier.
City coach Warren Joyce has plenty of experience mentoring youngsters in his eight seasons in charge of Manchester United’s reserves.
Joyce, who only took over at City this season after a one-year stint at then-English championship side Wigan Athletic, said coaching staff and players have kept Atkinson grounded this week.
“We certainly wouldn’t give him a chance to walk too tall anyway because he’s got to keep doing the things that he’s done to impress to give himself a chance to get in the team,” Joyce said of Atkinson.
“He’s got to do that consistently every day – it’s just one game.
“You don’t want to be a one-game wonder – you’ve got to build on that.
“You’ve got to get the consistency and the training, so that you (media) guys are talking about him for years to come and not wondering what happened to him.”
He had been promoted from the club’s youth side coming nearly two years after moving from the Hobart-based National Talent Centre to Melbourne.