Latics Listen 7 | Jensen Weir.
England U18 international midfielder on his recent progress and double for the U18s.
Weir enjoying the variety in his schedule and looking forward to England challenge this month.

Speaking on this week's episode of our podcast, Latics Listen, midfielder Jensen Weir spoke about his recent variety in training, netting two goals for the Under 18s and the upcoming England Under 18 fixtures which will see the 17-year-old travel with his team mate Joe Gelhardt to a number of different countries.

Talking of which, Weir was quick to praise Gelhardt on THAT goal against Hull City last month.

"It was some goal, wasn't it?" Weir began.

"I was on my phone following the game on Twitter and when I saw it say 'goal Gelhardt' I was over the moon for him. It was such a good goal, I was buzzing for him and his family. He works so hard for it, he's definitely earned it.

"His game is to score goals and now that he's got the first one, he'll go on to get more over time."

Gelhardt's not the only one scoring goals at the moment, with Weir grabbing a double in Latics' 5-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the Under 18 Professional Development League last weekend.

"I've been trying to add goals to my game for a while now, so to get two in one game is good progress.

"Crewe were a good team, I liked their style of play and they tried to play out, but we had enough about us on the day. It was good for me to get the full 90 minutes and the goals were an added bonus."

Weir continued, explaining how much he's enjoying a variety in his schedule and constantly learning:

"At the moment I'm training with different teams within the club and learning a lot every day. It's important for me to get games under my belt because I had a little injury which kept me out for a week.

"The schedule is a challenge to manage, but it's really good for me. I've learned so much being up with the first team, but I also enjoy being based at the Academy. It's good for me to keep training and carry out my daily jobs at Christopher Park.

"I'm learning a lot from Nick Chadwick in the Under 23s and it's been good to keep picking up tips from first team players and the coaches at Euxton as well. Pete Murphy has helped me a lot as well, he keeps teaching me things to add into my game, so it's important to absorb all of the information."

Weir is set to travel with England's Under 18s next week, with the Young Lions set to face Poland, Slovakia and Austria. He added:

"We're going away to three different countries this time. It'll simulate what it will be like in tournaments, travelling and play games in quick succession. I'm really looking forward to it because I keep learning new things every time I go away.

"There was a phase building up to the European Championships in the summer when I was working as hard as possible to get a place in the team. Once we got there I was in the team every game and it was a brilliant experience.

"I love going away with England and it's great that there are a few of us doing the same thing. There's me and Joffy in the England squad and then Bobby (Jones) is with Republic of Ireland, Kenzie (O'Neill) has played for Northern Ireland and Kyle (Joseph) and Robbo (Luke Robinson) are playing for Scotland. It's really good for the Academy and we're all really pleased with it."

Jensen Weir | "I'm learning so many things from so many different people."