Woodward's debut to remember - with Watts unlucky to miss out
[Huw Evans Picture Agency] Vitor Matos toasted Thomas Woodward's debut to remember in Swansea City's final-day win over Charlton Athletic – but revealed he was frustrated not to give Dan Watts a senior chance too. Forward Woodward, from Neath, joined Swansea at under-nine level and signed a deal running until 2029 earlier this spring. Having impressed Matos on the training ground in recent months, the 19-year-old (pictured above, second right) was given his senior debut as a second-half substitute on Saturday.
He made an instant impression, claiming an assist for Adam Idah's second goal as he burst down the left flank before squaring for the Republic of Ireland international to score his second goal in Swansea's 3-1 win. "He came on and he had an impact straight away - running on the line, crossing, trying to be involved in the box," said Swansea boss Matos. "I like Woody a lot.
He has a lot of potential, a lot of talent and he's a really wonderful kid. So it was really nice to see, of course. " Fellow Welsh youngster Watts, who can play in midfield or defence, also joined Swansea at under-nine level and was an unused substitute in the Charlton triumph.
"We would have loved to put Dan as well," Matos added. "The context of the game didn't allow us to go in that direction, but Dan is a wonderful footballer as well. "I always said looking inside is the most important thing for a club.
There's always talent and that's why we're trying to use the talent we have already before anything. "