Charlton Athletic striker backed to reap more rewards with later arrival in the dangerzone

Charlton Athletic legend Alan Curbishley reckons that Miles Leaburn would have got more joy in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Forest Green Rovers if he switched up his movement.

The 18-year-old striker made his first League One start for the Addicks with manager Ben Garner opting for the former Chelsea youngster ahead of Jayden Stockley.

Curbishley told Charlton TV: “We got into the final third but we couldn’t get through them, so we crossed it and the crosses weren’t good enough.

“Miles always seemed to be marked by two centre-halves. Perhaps if he has a look back at it, perhaps he’ll look at his movement – because when those balls were coming in he was quite easy to mark.”

Former Addicks centre-back Jon Fortune, also on punditry duty for the midweek match, added: “When you’re young you are more eager to make the run, when you’re a big man you sometimes need to hold off and give yourself the space to run into.

“His willingness to get there, he’s learning his job and playing as an 18-year-old, these are the moments he can look back on and think ‘if I give myself more time I can read the flight of the ball a bit quicker’.”

Joe Wollacott’s inability to deal with Dominic Bernard’s cross left Connor Wickham with an easy tap in to wipe out Corey Blackett-Taylor’s opener.

“He does come for a lot of crosses and for this one I think he changed his mind,” said Curbishley. “I think he comes ‘I’m going to catch this…no I’m going to punch it’ – he doesn’t do either. To be fair to the centre-back, he’s got the shout – Eoghan O’Connell – and he leaves it for him.

“He has been fantastic since he has been here but he is committed to coming for crosses – and he comes a long way.”

PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS