WATFORD second year scholar Ross Jenkins has found himself fielding a number of questions about his famous name recently as he's stepped up to the first-team reckoning during pre-season.

The 17-year-old has learnt a lot about the older Jenkins and the impact the centre forward had at Vicarage Road - but this is very much a player in his own right and he's determined to grab the opportunities that have come his way.

To take up the story - Jenkins has been with the 'Orns since a nine-year old and after progressing up through the ranks, he started his scholarship with the Academy last summer.

Naturally a central midfielder, Jenkins impressed staff at the club with his no-nonsense play on the park and he made the step up to the reserves on a number of occasions last year - playing in midfield and when called upon at full back.

Coming back this pre-season, Jenkins' approach clearly caught the eye of Aidy Boothroyd and he's been a mainstay for the first team in their pre-season games.

Jenkins said: "I wasn't expecting to be involved with the first team this soon but I was aiming for it at some point.

"This is why I worked hard over pre-season - to give myself a chance. If I have a chance I'll take it.

"When I played at Boreham Wood I thought I had a good game and since then I've been carrying on.

"I've been training with the first team - it's certainly different as I don't know everyone and I'm the youngster but I don't care about that.

"The older players have been good though and they have spoken to me and helped me out, if no one did that then I would feel a bit awkward.

"John Eustace has spoken to me and helped me out - words of encouragement really."

Jenkins is comfortable in possession and can provide the defence with necessary cover in the centre of the park.

Jenkins in pre-season action against Barnet

It was a successful first season and Jenkins himself was pleased with his impact. He said: "Coming in as a first year I had to get used to the surroundings and to full-time training.

"You have to deal with the fitness side of things - it's hard on your legs but its good experience, and you also have to get used to living away from home."

The aim of this season though is a straightforward one for Jenkins and something he's been working towards for a long time.

"My aim is to hopefully get a pro contract" said the High Wycombe youngster, "I want to play as well as I can - football is all I think about and that's all I'm doing."

Jenkins says he started playing football as soon as he could walk, a story familiar with many players and he was encouraged to do so by his older brother.

Jenkins was one of six scholars to start last season, with defender Louis Lavers joining up later on, and during the early months the young side took some unfortunate knocks at the expense of big teams like Arsenal and Manchester City.

"The first few games didn't really help us" added Jenkins, "we learnt from it though and did quite well in the end."

The jump from under 16s to under 18s was a noticeable one for Jenkins. He commented: "It's the pace of the game really, everyone is fit, fast, big and strong and you have to deal with it.

Ross Jenkins stepped up to the reserves last season

"You come across someone who is bigger than you and you have to learn how to cope with it. Don't give them any respect - just because they're big it doesn't mean anything.

"Last year in the under 18s there were more second years than first years so we could depend on them to pull us through, but now there's only a few of us so we've got to be role models and leaders.

"We have to help the younger lads through - I used to be very quiet but now people like Malky have helped with that and I've become more open.

"Going into the reserves so early was a good experience for me. I didn't really know anyone at first, but gradually I got more and more games and I recgonised how people play and got used to it and enjoyed it.

"It's probably a bigger jump [than 16-18s], because you can be playing against men and everyone is bigger and fitter.

"Game management is important - it is a lot more technical than under 18s football - you work on set pieces more for example and they're a lot more critical to the game."

Jenkins has found his feet in central midfield but the young 'Orn hasn't always played in that position.

He said: "When I came to Watford I was a defender and then after about three years I switched to central midfield.

"Now I've made my decision to stick with central midfield but if the defence need help I'll happily fill in.

"I was playing for a local team called Loudwater when I was spotted, I had a trial and then got signed." 

Jenkins was signed around the same time as current second year colleague Billy Gibson and ex-Golden Boy Harry Forrester, now at Aston Villa.

This year is a big one for the Watford-born player as he looks to suitably impress and earn a professional deal to follow in the footsteps of John-Joe O'Toole and Theo Robinson to name but two.

Jenkins added: "We had time off over the summer but I made sure that I came back fit because this is my second year and a decision year so I want to give myself the best opportunity.

"I wanted to come back right - so I had a head start but I made sure I had enough of a rest away from football."

The first Ross Jenkins...

As for the connection with the Watford legend of the 1970s, the modern day Jenkins takes up the story.

He said: "People have asked me if I'm related to him but I'm not.

"I didn't know just how good he actually was, but I've seen lots of pictures and everyone seems to talk about him a lot so I believe he was very good.

"A fan came up to me and asked me if I was related and I said 'No sorry!' He asked if I was going to be as good as him and I said 'I hope so!'

"I hope to improve and become better than him!"

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