Mark Little's season has still been a triumph - even though the Wolves teenager was red-carded at Selhurst Park on Saturday. He has so far made 24 starts for the first team - not bad for a youngster who is still some months shy of his 19th birthday. With England honours to his name, it is likely that the dismissal against the Eagles will be but a temporary blip in a career that has started in impressive fashion. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke to Little about his career to date...
Q:
HOW HAS YOUR SEASON GONE SO FAR MARK, BETTER THAN YOU IMAGINED?
A:
Yes, I thought I'd slowly work my way into the side and then stay in - but it has been the other way around! I played a load of games and then I was back out again and I have had to start again by getting myself back into the side. It will be harder to get back into the team because I think that I have obviously got to my best level when the gaffer has picked me so I have to get to that level again, and maybe a bit more just to get back into the team.
Q:
WAS IT DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH, BEING OUT OF THE SIDE AFTER MAKING SUCH AN EARLY IMPACT?
A:
I wouldn't say it was difficult to deal with being out of the side, but I have had a taste for it, so I know I can manage it. It gives you the confidence to go and do it and it gives you the drive as well. I know I can play in the Championship but I need to crack on and start doing it again. Firstly when I came out of the team I looked a bit tired so the gaffer thought he'd give me a rest, so when the new lads came it was a new team, but they have done well.
Q:
DID YOU ACCEPT THAT?
A:
I thought it was fine at first. I had a couple of bad games and thought that was just down to my body. I was physically ill and you could just see that my body wasn't ready for it because I didn't expect myself to be playing that many games. I would have done the same and given me a rest. But now, it's discouraging because I'm not back in the team and I thought I would have been. But we've done so well, we've had an amazing run, and where we are in the league now, if that's happened through me having a rest, then that's perfectly fine for the team because we are in a better place for it.
Q:
AND THE TEAM HAS DONE FAR BETTER THAN MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED
A:
I wouldn't even think about the Premiership at the moment. My goal at this minute is to get back into the first team. When we get to the end of the season, I'll worry about everything else but right now it's just getting back into the team. Your goals change all the way through the season. One of our coaches, Terry Connor, has always said to me that I should set myself goals and concentrate on your things to do, but I always try and do it for a couple of months ahead.
Q:
AND HAVE YOU DONE THAT?
A:
I have a long-term goal and then short-term goals. First, it was just to be in and around the first team this season and I have gone and done that. And then it was to get into the team itself and I've done that. Then it was to stay in the team. Now I'm having a difficult time because my goal was to play the rest of the games this season. Now, I won't be doing that, so I have to alter my goals. At this club there are endless amounts of people I can go and talk to and tell them how I'm feeling. Everyone is approachable, even the gaffer.
Q:
AND YOU HAVE EVEN PLAYED FOR YOUR COUNTRY AT UNDER 19 LEVEL. THAT MUST ALSO BE PLEASING FOR YOU?
A:
Being with England gives you a huge confidence boost and it also gives you a break from what you do, week in, week out. It helps me because if I'm doing the same thing all the time, sometimes it gets a bit daunting. But if you get away and have a little break, then that helps.
