Howell: I don't get lost in the numbers

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Albion take on Reading in Premier League 2 on Monday night.

Charlie Hanson

2025-04-14T06:00+01:00

Harry Howell has been in impressive form for the under-21s this season. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Despite notching terrific numbers for the men’s under-21s this season, Harry Howell says he’s not fussed about the stats.

The 16-year-old has scored ten goals and assisted four times in 19 appearances across Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy this campaign.

“This season, the numbers feel like they have come more into play,” Howell said. “The game's become a lot about statistics, hasn't it? So you want to get your numbers as high as you can, but it's not something I'm obsessed with.

“I do want to keep my numbers high because I know it does look good. But people can check the score, see that you’ve scored and then they say that you played well. But just because you’ve scored, it doesn’t mean you’ve played well.

“Maybe I should be a bit more obsessed, but I don't really like to think of it when I go into games.”

Harry Howell has scored eight goals in Premier League 2 this season. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Having the freedom to express himself in the final third under under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth has certainly paid dividends.

“Shannon is very structured with how he wants us to work in build-up, that’s where you can see his stamp on the team in terms of the play," added Howell. "But in the final third, he gives a lot more freedom – he wants us to be ourselves. To improve though, he wants me to be more consistent out of possession.”

Harry is calm about his form in front of goal this season, in what is his first full season with the under-21s, having marked his Premier League 2 debut last season with a brace in a 4-2 win over Liverpool.

“I think it's been good. At the start there were more older players, with a little bit more experience. That helps you to settle into the environment.

Harry's performances for the under-21s saw him with the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for December. 📷 by James Boardman.

“Towards the end of the season, it's been a younger group, people from the 18s have come up. Results haven’t been the best, but in terms of how we've been playing it's been good.

“I've adapted well. I don't think it's been a major level up, I just think the players that you're playing with, they play how I want to play and that enables me to play better.

“Playing with someone like Charlie Tasker who understands my game helps. Our link up on the right has been really good this year.”

The under-21s are in action on Monday for their final regular PL2 game of the season before the playoffs, as they take on Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, kick-off 7pm.