Nigel Adkins pleased tactical switch pays off as Ian Maatsen claims first career goal during Charlton win at Donny

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Dutchman Ian Maatsen’s career goal tally is off to a flying start as he bagged his first ever senior strike in Charlton’s 1-0 win at Doncaster Rovers on Good Friday.

The 19-year-old left-sided defender, on loan from Chelsea for the season, was played at right-wing at the Keepmoat Stadium by new boss Nigel Adkins and took advantage of his new role by latching on to Diallang Jaiyesimi’s flick on to power the ball past Louis Jones in the Rovers goal after just 12 minutes.

Adkins was pleased that his tactical switch paid off.

“Delighted for Ian Maatsen because we’ve worked on that a little bit,” said the Addicks manager.

“We knew Jayden Stockley would be a massive threat up front. I thought the two centre-halves for Doncaster were really good, that was a challenge for us, but that one opportunity where Jayden did flick it on we had DJ, who I thought had a really good game for us on one side and Ian on the other and Ian went through and scored the winning goal for us.

“[Maatsen] has got the attributes [to play further forward]. I don’t think he’s played there before. He’s been playing left-back. But you can see he’s a very good footballer. He’s got pace, quality on the ball and tenacity about himself. He’s done what we sent him out to do. I’m delighted because he’s gone and scored a goal.

“I’m looking at the make-up of the team, Liam Millar we had on the bench. He’d been out to Florida. I’d left him to not start. Speaking to him as he came off the pitch after I’d given him the last 25 minutes, he said: ‘I didn’t realise but my legs were totally gone.’ He didn’t realise how much the flight takes out of him.

Trying to manage the players is an important thing. The young players, understanding what they can and can’t do. All round, a good day.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS