The Nigel Worthington Column

We were back in action on Tuesday night with a well-earned draw at West Ham.  It was a great result for us, especially after going behind, and it has extended our unbeaten run now to seven games...

We were of course given a break last weekend thanks to the international fixtures. England got what they needed from Turkey, but for Northern Ireland, my team, it was a different matter. We knew our fate before Saturday, we weren't going to qualify for our first Euro finals, and though we failed to score in this campaign, we conceded only eight goals from the eight matches.

Northern Irish football is going through a tough phase at the moment, but many countries do. I played in Mexico '86 during better times, when we made two consecutive World Cups, but that was the last time the country qualified for a major finals. The problem I see is that there aren't enough players to choose from, we lack players who consistently play at the highest-level week in, week out. But there is a decent crop of younger players coming through, so hopefully we can return to the high times of 15 or 20 years ago.

In England there are a lot more players to choose from and the level of talent is greater earlier. When I was younger, I played for Northern Ireland's Under-18s, but we didn't have an Under-21 side due to financial restraints, it was a jump from the 18s, through club football, to the senior team.

Some of our players at Carrow Road have played for England's youth sides over the last few years, and we've built a good relationship with the coaches, we work together very well to make sure they players get what they need to develop. There is also a great atmosphere with the various squads, which provide a real feeling of camaraderie. The boys come back with stories to tell and you can see that they've enjoyed the experience. The pressure can be greater on the English youngsters, but it's a huge honour for any boy, or girl, to represent their country and it shouldn't be under estimated.

For schoolboy and Academy players, it's important that they get as much information and quality attention as possible. We focus on developing them for Norwich City initially, the hard work and dedication towards the youth is of prime importance to the club as we try and produce our own players. The regular work and encouragement, if they respond well, can then help them to progress into the England teams and when they get a taste of that they are self-motivated to maintain the standard they have set themselves.

Over the years, Norwich City have had a good track record of bringing through youngsters and it still going on. Joe Lewis, one of our young goalkeepers, who played for England's Under-17s in July, is currently in the first-team squad as understudy to Robert Green while our reserve 'keeper gets fit.

We're now on our way to West Brom for tomorrow's game and I'll be seeing Gary Megson again. We're very well acquainted with each other - he's managed Blackpool and Norwich like I have - and we also played together at Sheffield Wednesday. Tomorrow, though, I'll be looking to bring back more than just memories...

Nigel Worthington