Charlton new boy Washington backed to improve end product after working with manager Lee Bowyer
Steve Gallen is confident Conor Washington’s finishing will improve working under Charlton manager Lee Bowyer.
The Addicks confirmed the capture of the Hearts striker, 28, on a two-year contract earlier today.
Washington has also played for QPR and Peterborough United.
And director of football Gallen points to the improvement of Karlan Grant, whose scoring form led to a move to then Premier League Huddersfield Town, as an example of how frontmen improve after working with Bowyer.
Gallen said: “We’ve lost a lot of players and we’ve still got to try and bring in a few to give us a chance of trying to challenge around the top.
“Just looking at the team and the squad I want to add some more pace to it really – and Conor Washington is that.
“He’s a good runner and he’s always had pace.
“I don’t think his goalscoring record is as good as maybe he would like, in all honesty, but I know what Lee works on in training every day and once he has done the main group he takes the forwards and attacking midfielders away and they work on their runs – where to run in the box – and he works on a certain type of finish. And he does it every single day – to get that repetition.
“He always talks about Karlan Grant, who would be lashing at everything and hitting the corner flag at times – Lee’s proud of the work he did with him to get more controlled finishing.
“We’re looking at Conor and we know, at times, he might slash at things but he is a good player – an honest player – who wants to get better.
“Lee has spoken to him about this. He’s really, really keen to work with Lee and hoping he makes him better.
“Good attitude, good runner…they are the two things that stick in my head with Conor Washington.
“What I’ve got to do now, with a restricted budget, is add a little bit more pace in the wider areas – full-back and wingers. That’s what I’m going to try and do over the next few weeks, if I’m allowed.”
PHOTO: CHARLTON ATHLETIC FC
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