Chelsea loanee has been instant hit at Charlton Athletic – and Addicks boss Bowyer provides an insight into that success

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Lee Bowyer has praised Conor Gallagher’s impact at Charlton – and reckons one of the Chelsea loanee’s biggest strengths is his desire to learn.

The 19-year-old midfielder has shone on his first temporary move away from the west Londoners.

Gallagher crashed in the only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brentford.

He has netted three times for the Addicks since arriving and slotted almost seamlessly into Championship football.

Charlton manager Bowyer said: “He’s just taken on the information we’re telling him – that’s all he is doing.

“He is not complicating the game in any way. He can obviously play – he comes from Chelsea and has got a good development there. But to step in and do as well as he has done….adrenaline is going to get him through the early parts.

“I was texting his agent after the game and said the most important thing is that he wants to learn and take things on board.

“If he keeps doing that then he’ll keep improving – it’s not difficult in terms of what needs to be done.

“Saturday was exactly the same as at Barnsley. You have to do the other side of the game – out of possession – but these people you are playing against are not happy to track you back.

“So if you are doing the defensive side and then are brave enough and willing enough to run forward then you are going to get chances. He did it again on Saturday. I said it to him: ‘This Brentford side, they won’t track you’.

“I said to him: “These two are lovely footballers but they are not going to track you’. It is difficult to find people who want to do both sides. Our players do both sides.

“He is going to make mistakes – he is only a young lad, 19. But the most encouraging thing for me is the way he listens and puts into practise what you are asking him to do.”