Charlton Athletic boss explains attacking tinkering in Colchester United friendly win

Ben Garner has explained the thinking behind his frontline permutations after Chuks Aneke played in a deeper role in Charlton’s 4-2 friendly win at Colchester United tonight.

Miles Leaburn continued his impressive form for the first-team in pre-season as he added to his two-goal contribution against Dartford on Saturday. He provided the passes for Alex Gilbey and Albie Morgan to score as well as slotting home himself in Essex.

Asked about Aneke’s deeper role, Garner said: “It’s a different option. He played almost as a false nine on Saturday, dropping in. He did that really well and played as a 10 against Kilmarnock and again tonight – he did really well.

“It gives us an option to be able to play there with Jayden [Stockley] as well as play as a nine. He didn’t train yesterday so he had slightly less minutes but got exactly what we wanted.”

Josh Davison is a player who Garner knows well having taken the attacker on loan at Swindon Town last season.

Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaard told the South London Press at the weekend that there was no pressing need to bring in more firepower up top.

“Josh is really adaptable and versatile,” said Garner. “He’s got a fantastic attitude. We know what he can do as a nine, he played there for me last season. We’ve had a look at him down the left side and, tonight, the right side. We’re just looking at different options. What you know with Josh is he’s got fantastic endeavour and will give absolutely everything, every game – and the lads love him for that.

“[Miles] played wide against Dartford and coming here and doing it as a nine against a good League Two team is a different kettle offish entirely. He grew into the game, grew in confidence and stature as it went along. He was wonderfully composed for a young lad for his goal. It was another bonus performance from him. He needs to keep working hard and keep progressing now.”

The Addicks fought back from 2-0 down with an Alan Judge own goal restoring parity.

“It was a good first-half display, the only disappointment was the two goals conceded,” said Garner. “But we haven’t done too much on set-pieces yet, that’s not our primary focus – that will come later in pre-season. The response was fantastic. We didn’t let it knock us, we kept playing, got four terrific goals and could’ve got more.

“The pleasing thing was we reacted so well to going behind. We stuck to our game plan and principles we spoke about. The team that came on had a training sessions this morning and they had some work at the end of the game. Everyone had a really good day in terms of load and hitting numbers.

“We looked strong. The aim was always 75 [minutes] for the majority. The 75, I thought could’ve done 90. They looked strong.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS