The academy at Nottingham Forest is one thing that supporters often find themselves united over.
A number of top talents have progressed through the ranks to play first-team football at the City Ground over the years.
In terms of the current crop, one man who would dearly love to take that step is Northern Irish defender Joel Thompson.
Last night the European under-19 Championship got underway with Northern Ireland kicking things off as the host nation.
Thompson featured as a 0-0 draw was secured against Ukraine with games against holders Italy and Norway now on the horizon.
The Forest youngster has been knocking on the door at the international level for quite some time and last night he got his chance for the under-19s.
Joel Thompson stars during Northern Ireland under-19s draw
This is a big tournament for Gareth McAuley’s men as they host the competition for the first time.
Yesterday, Thompson was handed the chance to start and he was given the nod to play as a left-sided wing-back.
That is somewhat surprising considering he operates at centre-back or right-back for the Forest academy ranks.
It appeared to be a role that he took firmly in his stride and the Forest man played all but the final few minutes.
Sofa Score showcased that he had a pretty good game as the host nation claimed a draw that could prove invaluable.
Thompson won both of the aerial duels that he contests and won two of the six ground duels that he was forced to get involved with.
Defensively he was pretty sound too, making six clearances for his team and he was only dribbled past on two occasions.
Next up for Northern Ireland’s youngsters is a game against Italy before facing Norway.
Thompson will have eyes on first-team pathway
The talented player signed for Forest from Northern Ireland-based outfit Crusaders where he’d been part of the under-18s ranks.
He was so highly rated in Northern Ireland that he was handed six appearances for the senior ranks and earned himself men’s football.
That hasn’t been forthcoming at Forest just yet but he is part of a Northern Irish contingent on Trentside.
Dale Taylor went on loan to Wycombe last season and scored at Wembley, whilst Aaron Donnelly has enjoyed a number of successful loans away from Forest.
Thompson has spent most of his time at Forest playing for the under-18s but next season he will perhaps step up to play for the B-Team in their Premier League 2 campaign.
Given that the player is extremely versatile, that might help his chances at Forest in the future.
This tournament might just put Thompson in the shop window, however, with a loan move perhaps the next stage in the player’s development next season.
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