Tom Youngs enjoyed his first extended run in the first team following Martin Butler's departure at the end of January 2000 and injury to midfielder Alex Russell a few days later. The 20-year-old rising star responded by scoring five goals from an unfamiliar wide midfield position, and in March he agreed to answer fans' questions for a new look U's Net Q&A.

General Questions

Which footballer did you most admire as you were growing up, and why?

Gary Lineker. Being both a striker and a Spurs fan, he was obviously my idol. One of my earliest memories of football is watching him score a hat-trick against Poland in the '86 World Cup, and I watched him countless times for Spurs. His ability to, as commentators often say, 'be in the right place at the right time', was unrivalled (I read his many books in hope that I could learn it!), and he was not only successful in England and at international level, but abroad aswell, which his peers like Ian Rush and Mark Hughes, though great players, cannot claim.

Which footballer do you most admire now, and why?

If I'm being bang-up-to-date, I would say Michael Bridges, as he has been outstanding for Leeds this season, and excels at both Lineker-esque 'goal-poaching' and dropping deep and linking up play, which not too many players can say. However, Teddy Sheringham is still playing (and very well at that), and the way I watched him blossom from a pretty basic player, to one of England's most continental-type centre-forwards, while at Tottenham, made a big impression on me as a player.

What is your best footballing moment so far?

Although it was great to be involved in the promotion and Worthington Cup run last year, and the FA Cup run this, I was really only on the fringes of them. So personally, scoring my first goal at Gillingham is probably my favourite moment so far.

What was your most embarrassing football moment?

After I'd broke into the first team squad for the first time a couple of years ago, I dropped back down to the youth team for an FA Youth Cup game against Somersham. I had an awful game, and we got dumped out of the cup in the qualifying rounds, at home, by a non-league team. They brought about 200 or so fans to the Abbey, but when they cheered at the end it sounded like there were nearer 2,000. It was really humiliating.

What car do you drive?

A white Ford Fiesta. Lovely, reliable little car which has never let me down, even when Marshy had to thrash it up to 100mph+ last week to get us in on time (my calf prevented me from driving) because Andy Ingham was late getting round to my house!

Could you put up a set of shelves?

Not a hope in hell. Well, if you gave me a decent set of instructions that I could follow to the letter, I probably could. If not, I'd get my brother to do it.

What do you do to relax away from football?

I listen to music a lot, my CD player's rarely ever quiet. I don't think my album collection would mean much to any of the other lads, though, my tastes are not very typical of a footballer (or anyone probably)! I play a bit, too. I've got a piano and a keyboard at home. I played for the lads a couple of times but they found it all a bit slow, not enough rock'n'roll was the verdict, I think. Perfect for relaxation though. I play computer quite a bit as well, but I've a feeling there may be some questions concerning this lower down, so I'll hold fire.

Do you have any pre-match superstitions or rituals?

No. Although my girlfriend always sends a text message of 'Good Luck' to me on my mobile, and it's seemed to work lately, so I'd probably lynch her if she forgot to do it.

How do you like having Roy McFarland as a manager?

It's great. He's very upbeat and positive most of the time, and never rants and raves just for the sake of it. All his criticism is constructive. Training is good, and he is easy to speak to, always available.

The best thing about having Roy as a Manager?

His ability to shut Preecey up when he's moaning!

And the worst?

All those times he manages to fit 'in a sense' and 'in terms of' into his sentences, both on the radio and in the programme. How does he do it?!

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?

Graham Scarff. He took me on at Cambridge when I was 10, and coached me for 2 years before moving on to become first-team coach. He also first recommended me to the FA Centre of Excellence, where I went to courses and trials etc. with a better quality of player (Kieron Dyer, Matthew Upson, John Curtis [Man Utd], John Eustace [Coventry - scored last weekend], Michael Branch) which obviously helped my development.

Gary Johnson, Paul Ashworth and David Batch were also big influences on me as a youngster.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

'You can never stop improving'. Said by virtually every coach I've been involved with that was worth anything.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone hoping to become a professional footballer?

You have to be dedicated, but never so much as to let the enjoyment go out of playing.

What will you be doing in five years time?

Playing football at a higher level than Division 2, hopefully, either with Cambridge at the new Abbey, or, if this is not possible, having moved on to a bigger and better club.

What's the best part of your game?

In a technical sense, my first touch is my greatest strength, but anticipation in the box is why I have scored, and hopefully will score, goals, so that is definitely a strength also.

And the one area you would like to improve upon?

At the moment, while I'm playing wide, my crossing, or certainly the consistency of my crossing, needs to be better, as evidenced at Luton. Also, my heading for goal needs a lot of improvement, along with, quite obviously, my physical strength.

Are you on the Internet? If so do you read the U's web sites?

Yes, and yes. It was by seeing an impostor leaving messages on U's Net under my name that I got in contact with Andrea, and she then asked me to do this Q and A.

Have you got a message for the worldwide fans on the Internet?

We appreciate all support, no matter how far afield it comes from, and with your continued help and interest, we are going to pull clear of this relegation dogfight, and retain our Division 2 status.

Supporters' Questions

Simon Gooden of Bedford and Chris Mason of Ipswich both ask a popular question: What do you feel is your best position?

I think of myself primarily as a centre-forward, as I have played this position all my life. However, depending on the system deployed by the team, I enjoy playing 'in the hole' behind the front two as well, although this can be very difficult to play if man-marked. For that reason I prefer to drop into those deep positions from a starting position up-front against the centre-halves, like Zola or Bergkamp do. This gives you a bit more freedom and flexibility to either run forward in behind, or drop off, making you less predictable to defenders.

At the moment, though, I'm just really happy to be playing at all, and playing in the wide-midfield roles makes it easier to get chances with late, unmarked runs.

Luke Walton, Darren Winter and Ronny from Norway (among many, many others!) ask: Are you aware of your near legendary status in the computer management game Championship Manager? Do you know you are famous worldwide among followers of the game, even non-CUFC fans? And have you ever played the game?

The answer to all of these is categorically YES. Me and my best mate James (yes, that's him asking me a question later down the page) have played CM since the first edition came out. We used to play the Italian version of CM1, and then the English versions of CM2 and 3. We soon found it quite obvious that I was pretty good on the game, as my stats were decent and all the top teams kept buying me after about 3 matches! So ever since, I've always tried (mostly unsuccessfully) to secure my signature in the early seasons.

As a manager I've pretty much conquered CM3 now, having steered Spurs to five titles and 2 European Cups and, on my most recent game, guiding the mighty U's to two titles and the European Cup before flogging myself for £7m to Rangers and leaving to manage Liverpool, as I could not attract any top players, even to the new, 15,000 all-seater Abbey Stadium! Incidentally, if anyone wants to tell me how much the most they've paid for me or sold me for is, I'd be interested!

It's quite surreal being really well-known as a footballer on a computer game before you've even played 10 league games, and the best example of this is when Darren Byfield came down from Villa. I was introduced as Tom, and suddenly he was talking to me as if I was the Premiership player and he was the little-known Division 2 youngster! The whole thing is quite funny, in truth, and I just hope I can emulate even a small percentage of some of the careers (and wages!) my computer self has carved out.

Steve from Littleport and Paul Benstead of Histon asked similar questions and want to know: What is it like being a local lad playing for your local club and does it mean more to you?

Although, as I mentioned earlier, I was/am a Spurs fan, I regularly watched Cambridge when I was younger, so I've always felt close to the club. My first match was the local derby with 'Boro on New Year's Day 1988 and I loved the atmosphere, even though we were soundly beaten 3-1 (that's why I'm called Statto!). I attended regularly throughout the successful John Beck era, highlights being the play-off semi and final in 1990, the Cup runs in 90 and 91, and beating Ipswich away to go top of the old Second Division in 1991/92.

Going to this many games as a supporter meant my affinity with the club was always great, and the fact that I was on the books throughout only enhanced this. So it really means a lot to me running out at the Abbey with a United shirt on, and, to answer the second part of the question, probably does mean more than if I was at any other club, except for perhaps Tottenham.

Andy from Charlton asks: Did it feel strange to have the whole crowd chanting your name after you got the Wigan equaliser, and where do you see the club in five years time?

Very strange, yes, but very enjoyable. A lot of the thrill of being a footballer is the cheer of the crowd when you do something well, and the adulation of the fans. So when they all chant your name, it feels, to some extent, that you've 'arrived'. The next stage is forcing them do it all the time because you're playing consistently well, and I'm trying to make that step now.

I think the club has a very bright future now that it has secured permission to re-develop the Abbey Stadium. Now if we maintain our place in Division 2, which I firmly believe we will, we'll have a firm base to build on in, both literally and in football terms. We will know what is required of us to succeed at this level, and be able to aim towards that goal knowing at the same time that our ambition on the pitch is matched by the pending growth in stature of our ground. These improvements, both on and off the field, will encourage more people through the turnstiles and that will help to stabilise the financial future of the club.

In five years time, with a completed ground, increased support, and a continued stream of players from our great youth system, it is feasible that we could be a decent first division side.

Terry Wilby and 'Dave' both want to know: The fans sing a little song which refers to your youth (the one similar to the David Preece one), what do you think of it? Does it annoy or upset you, or does it make you laugh?

I think that most of the time when it is sung, you can probably see me laughing from the stands. It certainly would never upset or offend me. You're not the first people to comment on my looking young, you know! I have to say, though, that I'm glad (although probably not as much as my Mum!) that the other song has appeared, as it's easier to bring myself to applaud you for singing that one!

Alan from Norwich asks: Does being forever labelled as a 'bright prospect for the future' annoy you sometimes?

Not really, it would only annoy me if I thought that what I was producing on the pitch now was the best I could ever produce. But I have got a lot of footballing experience and physical growth to come in the next few years, and this can only improve me. So I would certainly agree that my current performances are only a 'prospect' for what I can go on to produce in the future.

Ian Elliott from Milton asks: You seem to have been at the club forever but have only recently made your mark in the first team. Do you feel it is now make or break for you at Cambridge?

I have been at the club a long time, but only for three years as a professional, and you have to remember that I did not do an apprenticeship. So my first two years, although I was on a full professional contract, were almost my equivalent of a YTS, especially in terms of adapting to, and reaping the benefits of, training full-time. So in that respect, this was the year in which I was expecting, and was probably expected, to break through on a more regular basis.

Unfortunately, the first half of my season was blighted by injuries which restricted me to just one start, against Gillingham. I scored, played reasonably well, and then got injured again all in the same game. But, eventually, I got my chance again, against Wigan, and took advantage. So, to some extent, the forecasts of this season have come true, and, with regards to the 'make or break' part of the question, I hope that I am now (although there is still quite a way to go) on the way towards 'make'.

John Donnelly from Glasgow asks: Whilst appreciating Tom's undoubted talent he sometimes seems a bit lightweight and easily brushed off the ball - any plans on toughening up for first team football?

I do weight-training on a regular basis, and I think that this, in conjunction with some filling out that will hopefully come naturally, will allow me to compete on a more level physical plane in the (reasonably near) future.

Rupert Matthews asks: Having grown up at United what is your most memorable day, both as a player yourself, and from the perspective of the club as a whole?

For the club as a whole, I think that winning the first ever Wembley play-off final was a great achievement which started the ball rolling for our success in the early 90's. It was a great day out for all the supporters as well, of whom I was one. For me, in my role as a supporter it would have to be the aforementioned win at Portman Road, which took us top of what is now the First Division. Ipswich equalised with about 10 minutes to go, but just as their crowd started to chant 'You're Not Singing Anymore', we went straight up the other end and Steve Claridge scored (via a few ricochets). 90% of the ground went deathly silent, and we were all going loopy.

As a player, the most memorable day to be a part of was going to Hillsborough. It was brilliant enough just warming up on the pitch and admiring the surroundings, but to actually win was unbelievable.

Ryan Chapman of St Neots and Rupert Matthews both ask: Which team do you support and if you were not a professional footballer, do you think that you would go and see them play?

Tottenham Hotspur, and I would go every week, home and away, providing my job allowed it.

Brian French of St.Ives asks: In every programme the player interviews always highlight that the squad as a whole seems to be under the impression that you are not and similarly will not be in a relegation battle. Speaking honestly do you believe that we will stay up?

Of course. We have a quote up in the dressing room, I think it's from Henry Ford. It says 'It doesn't matter if you think you can, or you think you can't. You are probably right'. It's a great, and very true, attitude. You've always got to believe in yourselves or you've already lost. However, I realise that by saying 'speak honestly', you want a realistic viewpoint. And thankfully, even being realistic at the moment I would be hard pushed to say that we will go down. We are in good form, better than those around us, and are at present (on the 29th March) in the best position of the six who look most likely, with a game in hand. But don't worry, we aren't getting at all complacent! We know that we still have to work very hard to ensure we stay up.

James Wilton at Chester University asks: Tom, when you first joined Cambridge, why do you think that out of all the talented youngsters in the area, it was you that was "given a break"? What do you think you have that others of a similar stature and mentality don't have?

Thankfully, as I know who this question is from, I don't have to take it very seriously. I can accept the similar mentality bit, mate, but stature? I wouldn't have half of these questions about beefing up if that was true! However, I have to admit that the youth system's scouting techniques have vastly improved since I was first signed. It used to just be two big games of about 9-a-side on the Coldham's Common Astroturf pitch, and if you were lucky one of the two coaches might look your way just when you scored, played a good pass, or took someone on. It was a bit of a lottery!

Andy 'B52' in the USA asks: How many more goals are you expecting to score by the end of the season?

Thanks to this bloomin' injury, I've got to get fit and back in the team first. But, at our first meeting with our sports psychologist, John Porter, this season, we had to set ourselves individual and collective targets for the rest of the campaign. I think it was in October, and I hadn't played, scored or really even been fit yet, so when I said 10 goals, most of the lads quickly pointed out that this meant first team goals, not reserves! But, discounting the AWS goal against Barnet, I'm on 8 now. So it would be nice to bag a couple more before the end of the season.

Emma Camps from Earith and Olly Hockin from Willingham both want to know: Has it always been your dream to become a professional footballer or did you have other ambitions whilst at school?

I was quite good academically at school, as you might have guessed by my staying on to do A-levels, so I did have other ambitions. Being honest, though, from the age of about 13/14, they became secondary. They would only get mentioned with a pretext of 'if I don't make it as a footballer ...'. I was very interested both in journalism and, as I got older, law, for the study of which I had the offer of a place at Birmingham University. I obviously declined this on getting my first contract.

Mickie Bilar from Cambridge and Tom Jennings of Ipswich ask: If you could transfer to any club which one would you choose and why?

Definitely Tottenham. My dad supported them, so they have always been my team from a very young age. They've got a bit of a shortage of forwards at the minute as well, haven't they?!

Theresa Pirrie from Ipswich asks: Do you think the club were right to sell Martin Butler and keep hold of Trevor Benjamin, or would it have been better the other way round?

What a great question that is, Theresa. I suppose I could say that we won't truly know until the end of the season when we know our fate, but I won't. I think it was definitely the right decision. Butts was a great lad and a great player, who scored a lot of goals for us, but someone obviously had to be sold, and it was better for the club that it was Martin. If we waited till the summer to sell Butts, it is likely that we would not have got vastly more money for him than selling him when we did. Because of Trevor's age, and his subsequently greater potential for improvement, his price tag is an ever-growing one, along with his reputation. Therefore, if he is sold in the summer, or whenever he eventually leaves the club, he will be worth a lot more than he was when we sold Butts.

The Gaffer would also never have sold Butts if he didn't think that Trev could take over his mantle. He obviously saw Trev growing in stature and confidence, especially in front of goal, after the Christmas change of formation, and was confident that he could fill the hole left by Martin's departure, which he duly has with 6 in the last 6 games, and 7 since Butts left.

Hannah of Cambridgeshire asks: How does it feel to be stepping into Martin Butler's shoes, and did he give you any advice?

As just mentioned in the question above, I think that Trevor has been more the one stepping into Butts' shoes, and that has especially been the case, seeing's that I've been playing wide-midfield since he has gone. But obviously I would like to emulate him in terms of (there's the Gaffer's influence butting in!), eventually, leading the line for Cambridge, and scoring goals. It's quite a task to take on, but I will enjoy trying, and if I could manage to do it as well as he has done over the last two years or so, I wouldn't be going far wrong. The only 'advice' he's ever given me is to be confident. He used to tell me that before every game. Oh, and to make sure I set him up a goal!

Matt Lutz of Birmingham asks: I understand that you gave up a place at university to play football, do you think you will go back to education at some point?

It's very difficult to say, not knowing how my football career is going to pan out as yet. If everything goes as I would wish in the world of football, then after I have finished I would like to go back to my love of journalism, and fulfil some kind of reporter or pundit role, a la Crooks or Brooking etc.

But I would have to achieve quite a standing in football terms to be able to go straight into a job like that, so it's quite a way off at the moment! Therefore it may well be necessary for me to go back into education after football, to gain the requisite qualifications, and then earn a job in that field, or perhaps anything else I become interested in, by more conventional means.

Christine Franklin of Mildenhall and Linus Johansson of Sweden both want to know if you ever see yourself playing in either the First Division or the Premiership within the next 5-10 years?

Certainly. That has to be the aim of any young footballer in the lower divisions, once he has started to earn a place in the first team.

Sam Smart of Cambridge asks: What is it that you like about the club, and did you ever feel that you would have a better chance of first team football at another club?

I think the strength of the club lies in it being so close-knit, from the spirit of the players in the dressing room, to the squad working in the offices. It makes for a real 'family' feel around the place. Another good thing is that, in general, all the lads are of a similar age, so it's easy for us to be friends and socialise together. Also, the youth team all live together in a house, which again adds to the unity of the club as a whole, and helps make the club very welcoming to younger players.

This has been a quality always displayed by the club, which is the main reason I have always stayed here, despite any interest from other clubs when I was only attached by centre of excellence forms. And I don't think anyone could ever name a club where younger players have a better chance of first-team football, or of being noticed by the scouts. Our record for producing future Premier League players is very good. Dublin, Craddock, Hyde, Granville, Kimble, Rowett, Sinton, Claridge, to name but a few.

Nigel Pearce of Sawbridgeworth asks: As you may know two of the greatest former Us players (no, legends) were called Tom - Finney and O'Neill. Also, some of the best ex-Us strikers have been blondes - Alan Biley, Steve Butler and Martin Butler. Can you handle your destiny?

If my destiny is to be a player great enough in a Cambridge shirt to rank alongside those names, then I can definitely handle that! To be up there with them would mean that I had a great chance of having a good career.

Mark Preston from Mildenhall asks: How long will it be before you fly the nest and go somewhere like your beloved Tottenham? All the best mate.

Let me try to get established at Cambridge first please, mate! I think there's a saying ... something about the order of running and walking ... you get the picture!

Paul Stephen of Nottingham and Lewis Delaney from Crewe both want to know: Where did you learn how to score that goal against Scunthorpe and how did it feel to score the best goal I've seen in 20 years?

That goal was just an instinctive strike, not a situation that would even come up that many times for practice in training, so obviously it was lovely to see it fly in. Unfortunately I turned away before seeing it actually stick in the stanchion, or else I may have paid the ball a visit like Ash did! I'm glad that you think it was such a great goal, but make the most of it, as spectacular goals aren't really my forte. Expect more like the two against Wrexham!

Kev Ferris from Cambridge asks: Were you a United fan when growing up in Mildenhall? As I've said, I was a Tottenham fan, but I did see a lot of Cambridge games while growing up.

Chris Hope of Cambridge asks: You by-passed the YTS scheme and stayed on at school to do A levels. With hindsight, do you think that was the correct decision? Do you think it has hindered (or helped) your progress with United?

It was definitely the correct decision for me personally. It wasn't quite as clear-cut a situation as people seem to think. I have an August birthday, and because of differing separation dates for school years and football years, this meant that I was a school year ahead of my football team-mates at United. So when I came to the end of my GSCE's, and thus reached school-leaving age, I was still a year away from apprentice age in football terms. It wasn't as if I was a big lad who could become an apprentice early, and I did well in my exams, so it was natural for me to continue on into sixth-form.

At the end of my first year of A-levels, when all my team-mates got their YTS contracts, it seemed silly for me to give up a whole year's study, so I completed my course, while the others joined full-time. The idea was for me to take up a one-year apprenticeship after my exams were finished, but luckily the Gaffer saw me play on his first week at the club, and was impressed. Once he knew my situation, he offered me a full professional contract. I think I would still have got the contract if I had done a more conventional apprenticeship, but it would have come a year later, so I think that, funnily enough, staying on at school actually helped my progress in the end.

Steve Waters of Soham asks: How do you feel when the fans sing your name( given that you are a local grown talent)?

Absolutely great, and I think that goes for anyone in the team, local or not. Or indeed anyone in football.

Carolyn Cater asks: What is it like to come into the squad so quickly as you did? (Me and my boyfriend go drinking in the Bell in Mildenhall, if you score a hat trick this season we will buy you a drink if we see you in there!)

This is a funny question, in light of the fact that there have been two others remarking on how long it took me to break in. But in terms of going from very much a fringe player, and not even a permanent choice as a substitute, to a fully functioning part of the team in just a couple of weeks, it was quite fast. I think, though, that if I had not got injured at Gillingham, I would have had a chance to establish myself then, and so the confidence that I could become a more regular fixture was instilled at that point. That's why I felt ready when my chance came against Wigan, so the process was probably over about six months in total.

Zach Porter from Saffron Walden asks: Who do you think is the best player in Cambridge United apart from yourself?

As we have such a young squad at Cambridge, when you talk about players' ability here, you can only talk about potential in most cases. On the technical side of things, I would say Alex Russell is who I admire most at the club. He has great, quick feet, excellent vision, and a superb range of passing (although not quite as good as Preecey). On a different tack, Wannie's battling qualities are second to none, and Adam Tann has impressed me greatly in training with his defending in one-on-one situations.

Stephen Lodziak of Tokyo asks: I remember you playing for Somersham as a 12 year old and I may have ref'd you a few times! Of your age group are you aware of anyone else who has made it from the Cambridge Colts league to professional standard?

That's sacrilege! I never, EVER played for Somersham. I always played for Mildenhall, thank you very much! Yes, from teams I played against, I know of at least 4 players who made the professional game, and the strange thing is, they've all ended up back here on trial with me at the Abbey.

David Donaldson, son of the former Cambridge and Arsenal centre-half, used to play for Girton and got a contract at Arsenal before moving to Bradford. He came here last year but was not taken on. David Theobald also played for Girton, and then moved on to Ipswich. He is presently at Brentford after his time at Ipswich was hampered with back trouble. He played in the same Cambridge United under-12 team with me on a tour to Belgium in 1990. Neil Midgley played for Sawston as a boy, and now plays for Ipswich. He came on trial here last year as well, but again didn't get a contract. He played against us this season while on loan at Luton. Lastly, John Kennedy played for Burwell, and also went on to play for Ipswich. He was on trial here only a few weeks ago but left on deadline day.

Owen Anderson of Cambridge asks: What advice could you offer youngsters who might like to become footballers? What part of there game should they concentrate on during early teens? How should they split Schooling/Education with sport? All hard decisions you have faced in recent years.

It's very difficult to give advice in such a generalised way, because advice is always better when specific to the person receiving it. However, the obvious starting point for someone wanting to be a footballer is to find a club. It's relatively easy to get a trial with your local club via letter. Once this is achieved, and you are affiliated to the professional system, you will find yourself surrounded by coaches who can help you on a more personal basis.

As regards to concentrating on certain areas, I think you should always try and improve all parts of your game, but evidently there are going to be bits that need more work than others, which you yourself should be aware of. In relation to education, I don't think that you should ever neglect school in favour of football, for at least two reasons. If you concentrate solely on football, you are liable to saturate yourself in it, and risk becoming disenchanted with the game, and no longer enjoying it. Also, the plain fact is that not many young footballers graduate all the way to the professional game, so everyone needs something to fall back on, in case they don't make it.

Loradana and Marianna from Newmarket ask: How do you feel about youth players coming through the YTS system? Do you think that there is enough young talent in England and do you think that the FA is doing enough to support football in the younger generations?

The YTS system has faced a total upheaval in the last two years, with the introduction of the Academies and Scholarships. This is designed to give youngsters the best chance of developing sufficiently enough to earn a professional contract, while also giving them better educational opportunities than the old scheme. At Cambridge I think that the youth team graduates have been of good quality for many years, and this season we have had Adam Tann, Nathan Lamey and Daniel Chillingworth all making it into the first team squad.

Taking the country as a whole, I think the worries over the influx of foreigners are slightly overblown. I would agree that the Premiership clubs are quick to go abroad now for a quick fix solution, because established, ready-made players are cheaper from abroad. On occasions, this may mean that their own younger players don't break through and have to drop down a division or two. However, if they then prove themselves to be quality players, they are likely to return to the Premiership. And for prospects, the Premier League still looks down at the lower leagues. Tottenham have bought three Nationwide League teenagers this season alone. There are still a lot of very good young players in England, and I think that the FA's handling of professional youth football is ever-improving, and strives to bring us in line with continental methods.

Terry Wilby of Melbourn, Cambs asks: Will you take the next penalty we get?

Maybe. I think that Shaggy is the best penalty taker I have ever seen, and his record probably backs me up on that. We relied on him for the most pressure penalties of last season, at Forest and at Rochdale, so one miss doesn't make him a bad choice. However, when he is not playing regularly (probably quite soon!), I would like to think that I'm a candidate for the role.

Mark Thompson of Mildenhall asks: Tom, I am a big fan of yours, particularly as my dad used to play football with your dad many years ago. You played with Trevor Benjamin during your time as a youth and he broke into the first team at the age of sixteen. How do you feel about breaking into the first team and at getting a few goals to your name at last even though you are some three to four years behind?

The main reason that Trev has broken through more quickly than me is blindingly obvious. Just look at him! I saw Trevor on his first day at the club, and I don't think that he has changed one bit physically since he arrived. Strength-wise, he was immediately ready for first team football when he joined at 16. I wasn't even anywhere near ready when I joined, two years later, at nearly 18 (and still am not fully)! All he has needed to develop since first joining has been his football, whereas I've obviously needed to combine growth in both a footballing and physical sense. So I've never thought "Oh no, Trev's racing ahead of me", and felt the pressure of needing to catch up, or anything like that.

Every individual's development is exactly that, individual. So I've just always concentrated on myself, and I'm obviously delighted about starting to break in on a regular basis.

Steve Kemp from Barnsley asks: Given the opportunity to play alongside any other forward in world football, who would that person be? (and Trevor Benjamin will not do for an answer!!)

Ronaldo. He's got devastating pace, brilliant skill, huge physical presence, and great spring and aerial ability. Can't ask for much more in a partner, can you? And the defenders would be so scared of him, they'd pay absolutely no attention to little 'ole me, so I'd have the freedom of the pitch! However, on CM3, me and Tommy Smith from Watford have a pretty amazing partnership going on for England, so maybe that's the answer!

My sincere thanks to Tom Youngs for sparing the time to give such detailed answers, and to those of you who sent the questions.

If you have any comments about this feature, either for Tom Youngs or myself, please use this e-mail address: feedback@cambridgeunited.com