Derby County v Fulham
The FA Cup, Fourth Round
Pride Park, Derby
29 January 2005



Having nurtured the likes of Richard Wright, Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble and Darren Ambrose at Ipswich, George Burley knows all about the importance of youth.

His young Rams at Derby include the likes of England players Tom Huddlestone, Lee Camp and Lee Holmes.

They have helped put Derby into a Championship play-off place and set up an FA Cup clash with Premiership Fulham.

"I am a tracksuit manager who enjoys getting out on the training ground and working with players," says Burley, who was part of Bobby Robson's Ipswich team that won The FA Cup in 1978.

"We've got some good young prospects at Derby. Tom Huddlestone has only recently turned 18 and played around 80 first-team games which is incredible.

"I have been fortunate to play and manage top players and he is one of the best. His favourite position is in midfield but he has been playing centre-half and learning about that. His touch and vision make him excellent in both positions. He will be a full England international in my view.

"Lee Camp is an England Under-21 goalkeeper and he did brilliantly on loan at QPR last season helping them win promotion.

"The loan system is terrific for helping players progress rather than perhaps stagnating in the reserves for two years. This season Lee Holmes is at Swindon and doing well. He is an old-fashioned outside-left, very skilful with a good cross."

Off the pitch, Burley sets high standards for his youngsters.

"I went to Ipswich from Scotland at 15 and was taught good standards. At 17, I was given my chance in the first team and I believe in giving young players the opportunity.

"I believe in being punctual and the team look smart on match days. At training, we try to instil into them the importance of passing the ball. In matches you have to be competitive but disciplined. Derby had one of the worst disciplinary records for five years, this season it is one of the best."

Premiership Fulham come to Pride Park on Saturday and Burley is looking forward to see his boys pit their wits against a top-flight side.

"I played for Scotland and went to the World Cup but winning The FA Cup was the best moment of my career. I will never lose the memories.

"Fulham have to be favourites on Saturday, they have top-class internationals all over the pitch starting with Edwin van der Sar in goal.

"But The Cup is all about underdogs and we will give it a go, we certainly won't be resting anyone.

"Derby has had its problems in recent years but in the last year things have stabilised and the team have turned their results."

The battle to keep Huddlestone is likely to be fierce with the Under-19 international so coveted but Burley has great experience in guiding young players.

"We always encouraged our young players like Kieron Dyer to learn properly before moving on because no teenager is the finished article.

"I felt Richard Wright moved to Arsenal a year too early and might have benefitted from an extra season at Portman Road.

"I like working with Tom because he listens and takes things in quickly. But like Dario Gradi did with Dean Ashton, Tom needs to learn before moving up.

"I tried to sign Dean from Crewe for £300,000 when he was 16. Dario said no and he has developed him for four or five years before letting him go to the Premiership. Tom is a lot younger than Dean but he is definitely one for the future."