Charlton striker told to keep his confidence up despite scoring drought

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Lyle Taylor has told Josh Parker not to lose confidence after his scoring drought extended to 15 games at the weekend.

The January signing from Gillingham started in Saturday’s 4-0 demolition of Rochdale but missed at least one golden opportunity to get off the mark for Charlton.

Parker did provide an assist for Joe Aribo’s opener.

The 28-year-old, starting due to Igor Vetokele’s injury absence, has not netted since Boxing Day.

Taylor, who notched his 24th goal of the campaign at the weekend, said: “His hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. He needs to know that’s the case and I’m sure he does.

“Eventually something will hit him, probably on his backside, and go in.

“If that’s the winner then I couldn’t care. I’d take a winner off his bum at Wembley. But Josh just has to keep working hard. We’ve all been through dry patches as centre-forwards. I think I had 17 games at the start of last season for Wimbledon and finished the season with 18 goals. Everyone goes through it, it’s just part of being a centre-forward.

“Sometimes everything you hit and touch goes in and it’s a goal. When you’re going through those spells you have to really enjoy them, because they soon come to an end.”

PICTURES BY PAUL EDWARDS