Maddox targets more goals after Trophy double
On-loan midfielder leads the way in morale-boosting win,
CHELSEA prospect Jacob Maddox is confident he can start scoring on a regular basis after netting the first two goals of his senior career in Cheltenham Town’s 6-2 Checkatrade Trophy win over Arsenal Under-21s on Tuesday night.
His first made it 3-1 in the 48th minute and was a confident finish after Liam Mcalinden’s ball in from the left.
And less than three minutes later he headed in a Ryan Broom cross from the other side to put the Robins firmly on course for their first victory under boss Michael Duff.
It took Maddox 17 matches to find the net and after admitting it was a relief to open his account, he immediately set his sights on notching in League Two for the first time, starting against Mansfield Town at home on Saturday.
“Scoring was long overdue so hopefully I can start doing it consistently now, as I think I can,” he said.
“Hopefully the two goals are the first of many and it was a relief because I’ve been close recently so it felt good to get the ball over the line.
“It’s been a frustrating time and I put a lot pressure on myself so I want to kick on now.”
Maddox revelled in a central attacking midfield role in Cheltenham’s 3-5-2 formation against the young Gunners, who had Robbie Burton sent off in the seventh minute for a foul on the teenager.
He has made it quite clear he prefers to play in the middle of the pitch, rather than out wide and hopes Duff’s side can now make the newly adopted shape work against Mansfield Town on Saturday.
“It was a change of system and we adapted well, bringing out a lot of possession based football, which is also a bonus for a player like me,” Maddox, who turns 20 on Saturday, said.
“I will play wherever, but I am a cen- tral player I like to think, if possible.
“When I do get the chance to play there, I will feel more comfortable.”
Maddox’s performance was also an obvious example of how much he has learned from his loan spell at Cheltenham already this season.
“I know quite a lot of the Arsenal players and how they play and the game was a what I am used to, having grown up in the academy system,” he said.
“But I also brought a bit of my League Two knowledge and how you have to be there, which has definitely helped me as well.
“I have improved a lot here and there were parts of my game I wanted to work on.
“It’s helped me off the ball in particular and it’s a different style of play to Chelsea, so it’s been good to learn.
“I have loved it at Cheltenham, despite results not being the best, and everyone has been so welcoming.
“But we have to try and flick the switch now because the quality is here and I see it every day in training.”