TEENAGE striker Louis Moult is reaping the reward of being given a hard time by Stoke’s youth team coach Adrian Pennock.

Moult, who made his league debut in the later stages of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley, is now letting his football do the talking – not his sharp tongue.

Pennock recalled: “When Louis first came to us in the under-18s he was actually an under-16 and his potential was obvious.

“Unfortunately, he would argue with everybody, especially referees, and used to retaliate a lot.

“There are thousands of youngsters out there with the right talent, but the wrong attitude, so I had to be fairly strong with him.

“It was a case of being cruel to be kind because I knew he had talent, and I’ve got to say his attitude over the last year-and-a-half has been phenomenal.

“He’s really knuckled down and has now got a great head on his shoulders. He’s come such a long, long way since those early days.”

Moult, who originates from the Stoke area of the Potteries and isn’t 18 until May, has emerged through the club’s Academy and is now inspiring pride and applause from family and peers alike.

“It was great news to hear he’d got on the pitch the other night and he’s a credit to himself,” Pennock added.

“He’s got a very good family behind him, and I know his dad and his brother are very important to him after losing his mum a while back.

“His work-rate is phenomenal and he’s a real pain in the backside for defenders because he never stops working and running. He’s also got a great touch and a good awareness about him because he’s got a good footballing brain.”

So how far can Moult go in the game?

“Now he’s got a taste of the first team he’ll certainly want more,” said Pennock.

“It’s difficult to say how far he’ll go because we all know the Premier League is the top of the tree.

“He’s still got work to do long way to go, of course, but he’s already done exceptionally well for himself and fully deserves what he’s achieved so far.

“I suppose, at the end of the day, it’s entirely up to Louis himself.”