LEE ADMITS TEEN TALENT NEEDS TIME
LEE BOWYER says some of his Charlton youngsters are not ready for Championship football yet ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Derby County.
Bowyer saw his side produce a stirring comeback victory over Bristol City on Boxing Day, but was quick to remind the likes of teenage midfielder Albie Morgan that they were only in the starting XI because of injury.
Doughty scored his first career goal to seal victory for the home side, with Macauley Bonne bagging twice, with Andreas Weimann and substitute Niclas Eliasson in reply for Bristol City.
Speaking after the game, Bowyer said: “That second goal should never have happened – that’s why Albie went on loan.
“He’s a long way away, he’s 20 and learning the game. We can’t afford just to keep playing him, we will keep conceding goals.
“If we had senior midfielders back, Albie would not be playing. Is he doing well? Yes. But he needs to learn the other side of the game. It’s not just him. He’s been thrown in at the deep end.
“They are doing everything they can, but they are just kids. We’re running out of players.”
The opening half-hour which passed with barely a chance worthy of the description.
Naby Sarr glanced a header just wide, before the game sprang to life in the closing 10 minutes of the first period. The breakthrough came five minutes before half-time through a sublime piece of finishing from Bonne. Released by a looping Morgan pass, the striker judged his lob to perfection as he lifted his shot over City keeper Daniel Bentley.
Boosted by the goal, Charlton pressed for another before halftime, but their failure to add to the lead proved costly just 45 seconds into the second half when Andreas Weimann threw himself at a cross from City substitute Niclas Eliasson to guide his header into the far corner.
Eliasson completed the turnaround on the hour, but not before a Sarr header had struck the back of Taylor Moore and looped up onto the City bar. That escape proved pivotal as the ball ricocheted into Eliasson’s path for him to steer his shot past Dillon Phillips.
It was Bonne who lifted the Charlton spirits once more. His persistence in following in a Taylor flick-on was rewarded 12 minutes from time when he lifted a fierce shot into the roof of the net.
That was followed by a cross for Doughty’s winner. The youngster’s first shot was spilled by Bentley allowing Doughty to squeeze home his second effort.
Bristol City manager Lee Johnson, whose side host Luton today, said: “We’re trying to keep consistent, but the individuals need to be consistent. I think we can still be successful this season. There were positives, but it is difficult if you make errors. It was the bits that we work on, the fundamentals of our defending.”