Millwall attacker defended by head coach after failing to convert late chance at Stoke City

Joe Edwards defended Aidomo Emakhu after the Millwall striker spurned a golden opportunity in Saturday’s stalemate with Stoke City.

The young Lions forward, who signed a new contract earlier this week, was introduced in the 91st minute and was thwarted by Jack Bonham from close-range after intercepting the ball in the Stoke half.

When Edwards was asked how Emakhu was feeling post-match, he sympathised with the Irishman before stressing he had considered introducing him sooner.

“He was frustrated and probably disappointed,” Edwards said. “It’s probably as much as a good save from the keeper as it is a miss.

“I was kind of in that position myself in the second half if I’m being honest. At the back end of the game where it’s stick or twist, Stoke were obviously mounting more pressure than us but we had a group of players on the pitch who were really diligently doing their work without the ball, plugging the gaps.

“But knowing you can offer a bit more threat yourself, I wanted Aidomo on the pitch, so it was kind of stick or twist in terms of how early you put those attacking, creative players on, especially the young boys – because it can sometimes be one lapse in concentration, not following your man or not blocking the space, and it can cost you.

“We left it late with Aidomo, but as we move forward I want him to be on earlier and more often, because that’s the threat he gives us.”