It’s been a tough year for the 19-year-old. He burst onto the scene with some brilliant performances in incredibly difficult circumstances, and his celebrations at Portsmouth endeared him to supporters in a way that only vein-popping fist pumps into the travelling fans can do.
When Weaver first arrived amongst the first team, I was asked by Wednesdayites what I liked about him. And it’s not just that he’s good on the ball, or that he’d throw himself in front of a bus if it had a football in the windscreen. What really stands out with the centre back is the way that he carries himself.
Being thrust into a relegation scrap at the heart of a defence being peppered is quite the baptism as far as football goes. But it didn’t take long for him to be raising his voice at players almost double his age, and there’s a joy about the way that he seems to love the art of defending. You can see it with the way he celebrates every block and tackle.
There are a lot of good footballers around, but not all of them have the same mentality and work ethic as Weaver. Not many would have overcome what he’s had to overcome to get to this stage. It’s why Wednesday must get the next steps in his young career right.
His all-action cameo at Wycombe marked a first game back in almost a year, and he looked like he’d never been gone. We know that Wednesday have already started discussions over an improved contract after exercising his one-year option, but things appear to have stalled on that front.
Arise seem to be more proactive than the former owner – and that bodes well. I just hope that now the transfer window is done they can focus on making sure that the potential stars of tomorrow at Hillsborough are looked after and made to feel respected in a way that Dejphon Chansiri consistently failed to do.
I’m not sure we’ll see Weaver in the XI against Peterborough United on Saturday, after his lay-off it could still be a bit too soon. But I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I’d love to see his minutes increase as time goes on, and with the likes of Liam Cooper and Ricardo Santos to learn from, Ernie Weaver could really go from strength to strength.
Wednesday need to make sure that the next chapters see him remain in the blue and white stripes that he’s been wearing since childhood.
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I agree with every word Joe. But, I also hope that Ernie is realistic with his demands and appreciates that the club have supported him through his injury, he loved he is by the supporters and is not a first team regular as present.
As a side note I fear the club may have offered some contracts as a knee jerk reaction to Chansiris approach which were not entirely merited. Time will tell.
As i have said before this lad iftime to give him his chance . injury free will be a real asset to the team and a leader 💪 ,playing at the side of Cooper can only just benefit him and the team 💙