Academy graduate Dan Phillips said senior professionals made him feel really at ease against Brentford on Saturday after his first-team debut came out of the blue and in an unlikely position.
Phillips, 19, was asked to report for first-team training on Thursday and then two days later, the midfield powerhouse was summoned at half-time of the behind-closed-doors friendly win over the Bees to replace José Holebas.
“It all happened so quickly,” said Phillips. “They told me on Friday to bring my tracksuit on Saturday and then when I was having breakfast, Craig Shakespeare told me I'd definitely be involved. I wasn't sure if I would play but I just wanted to make the most of the chance.
“I wasn't expecting it, but then Craig had always said to me that you never know when your chance is going to come and under what circumstances so just be ready. He has spoken to me a lot. He told me just to enjoy it, that I'm a good player and to just trust my ability and not try too hard.”
Phillips had been scheduled to play the last 30 minutes at left-back but that plan was brought forward after Holebas was replaced at half-time.
“Hayden Mullins came up to me at half-time and said I was coming on,” said Phillips. “I wasn't nervous as I was too excited to be nervous. I thought I did alright, not amazing.
“There were a lot of things I picked up on and it was a good first appearance, considering I hadn't played left-back since I was 13. It's such a different position from midfield and you have to make sure you are switched on and that you are part of a back-line and you aren't playing anyone onside. I just tried to use what I normally do in midfield out wide.”
Phillips said the acclimatization process, to life in the first-team and to an unfamiliar position, was assisted by words of advice from key figures in the dressing room.
“Deeney stands out,” said Phillips. “He's a big personality and a massive influence on things. He was so vocal, even when he was sitting on the side. He also spoke to me after and was sharing a lot of information.
“Ben Foster was great. He is a funny character who makes you feel comfortable. Mariappa is good as well and speaks to you a lot. Gomes was great for me as you can hear him talking all the time about where you need to be and what's going on around you.
“And I just loved playing with Capoue. He's amazing. I love the way he slows the game down to his pace and then speeds it up when he wants.”
Phillips had hoped to be involved in the first-team sooner, and may even have gone on the pre-season tour to Austria last summer had he not picked up a knock. He then ruptured a ligament in his ankle early on in the season and has only played the last 18 minutes of an Under-23 game with Charlton in February this year.
“I was aiming to get some minutes in the pre-season and force my way in,” he said. “I went out on loan to Hemel and that was great. It taught me a lot as I was playing with players who had played hundreds of league games. It was a great environment.
“I then rolled my ankle playing for Hemel and needed surgery. I was out for six months and I found it really tough. I got my head round the fact it was just part and parcel of football and I spent a lot of time working with Callum [Sharpin] on my power and speed. I came back against Charlton and people talked about my speed – and they had never said that before!”
Phillips has been talked about in high regard by those in the know at the Academy since he was picked up by the Hornets having been released by Chelsea five years ago. He signed professional terms last season after winning the Academy Player of the Season award and is coming along nicely.
“I was born in Enfield and was at Chelsea from Under-10s to Under-14s,” said Phillips. “I was in the same group as Callum Hudson-Odoi. He is a good friend of mine and was the best player I played with. He was always destined to play at the highest level. You could see it straight away.
“We also had Jonathan Panzo, who is now at Monaco, so we had a good group. When I was released it was really disappointing but, in hindsight, it's been a blessing in disguise. [Former Head of Academy Recruitment] Danny Dolan got me in for a week's trial and they offered me a contract quite soon. I haven't looked back since.”
