Nigel Adkins echoes Lee Bowyer’s comments on Charlton midfielder Albie Morgan
Charlton manager Nigel Adkins has reiterated the views of his predecessor when asked about young midfielder Albie Morgan.
Former Addicks boss Lee Bowyer would often praise Morgan’s technical ability with the ball at his feet but ask for an improvement to the other side of his game.
The 21-year-old academy graduate came off the bench shortly before half-time in Tuesday’s 3-1 home win over Lincoln that keeps the South Londoners’ hopes of reaching the League One play-offs alive going into the final day of the season.
Morgan’s deep corner provided the assist for Ryan Inniss to head home Charlton’s second of the evening as they ran riot with three goals in 19 minutes after the break. The Kent-born engine roomer hasn’t started a league game since Adkins’ first in charge of the side at AFC Wimbledon.
After his performance against the Imps, Adkins explained: “He’s talented on the football but he’s got to keep learning to do the other side of it. Hopefully, we’ll create an environment where he can keep learning, which is a big thing. Good attitude. You can see he’s got tremendous ability. We’ve got to try and keep making improvements all the time with what he’s got to help him.
“We wanted to pass the ball. I thought we maybe played a few longer diagonal balls in there, maybe we weren’t close enough. Gilbey was trying to be closer to Jayden there. They’re a good side as well, the way they press. I play two deeper midfield players to get on the ball in terms of [Jake] Forster-Caskey and [Ben] Watson to try and get some flow of the ball.
“Albie Morgan has done really well when he’s come on. A youngster through the youth team. He’s come on, you can see he’s got talent on the ball. Gilbey did really, really well, going on to that right-hand side. Ian Maatsen in the left-back position, he’s a talented football player.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD