‘Different dimension to his game’ – Charlton boss on why Alfie May is playing wide right attacking role

Michael Appleton has spelled out why Alfie May has been played in a wide right attacking role – and reckons it has not impeded the Charlton Athletic striker’s goal prowess.

The Addicks number nine is on 17 goals this season after scoring twice from the penalty spot in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town.

“For him to have the calmness and nerves of steel to slot the two penalties away just speaks volumes of him,” said head coach Appleton.

“I keep reading that I’m not playing him in the right position but he’s doing alright considering that because he has scored a lot of goals from there and he looked like he could have got two or three more in that first half.

“He’s in a good place and I’m glad he’s in a good place because when he is then he is hard to stop.

“He has scored a hell of a lot of goals doing it (playing on the right). What we tried to get into Alfie’s head early doors and I think this has worked is that a lot of the time when you are the striker then you’re the first into the box and there is a tendency to be easily marked.

“Whereas whether he is playing in a wide position or as a 10 then you tend to arrive a little bit later. If you look at his goals there are not many where he has had a touch – a lot have been one-touch finishing and arriving late.

“Even the goal at Pompey, he made the run from a deeper position from that wide area to get his goal. I think he is bringing a different dimension to his game and it’s making him more difficult for the opposition to deal with. But I would say that, wouldn’t I?”

MAIN PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS