Nigel Adkins drops Jayden Stockley hint when asked how he’ll get his side to stop taking long ball option
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
Charlton manager Nigel Adkins has hinted that he may be forced to take striker Jayden Stockley out of the side to stop his team choosing the easy option and playing long.
The Addicks once again found it tough to get the ball down and play during the 2-1 loss at Wycombe Wanderers. Some sections of the travelling support showed their frustration after several wayward long balls came to another turnover of possession for the home side.
Stockley is Charlton’s top scorer so far this season with two but Adkins admitted that he may have to look to shake things up in order to get his side to play the way he wants them to.
“I said that to the players before the game, during the game and at half-time,” when asked if he was frustrated that the side often seem to resort to the long ball.
“The whole idea, we knew they would come and press and ultimately the idea was to suck them in so we could play three against three in their half of the pitch with a Jayden Stockley, a Jonathan Leko and a Conor Washington. Then, they’d drop back a little bit to try and block the space and then there’s a space to go and play.
“Did we create that enough, were we brave enough to get on the ball at that time to go and do it? That’s something that we’ve got to go and work on. I’ve made it perfectly clear, I want us to be a passing side. But likewise, you have to understand as well that sometimes confidence can wane and people will play a safer pass more than not.
“We do have a big target man who is very effective in Jayden Stockley. Maybe what I’ll have to do is take him out of the equation and you are forced to play a little bit more. But it’s time for me to reflect and contemplate, because Jayden is one of the best strikers in the league.”
PHOTO: KYLE ANDREWS
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Well Adkins certainly needs to do something. 1 loss in 15 at the end of last season and with what I consider, a stronger group of players, Charlton have only won 1 in 7. Some of the performances have been dire and whilst it is still early in the season, something has to change or we will be sucked into a relegation battle and not a promotion one. Perhaps Adkins is not strong enough with this group of players, as it seems they are not following instructions and that must always be a worry for any manager !! I think Adkins deserves more time, but how much is the question !