GARETH SALUTES HIS SMART ALEX
Wycombe boss so impressed by striker Samuel...
THERE were plenty of positives for Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth to take from his side’s 4-3 Carabao Cup defeat against Norwich in midweek – not least the performance of striker Alex Samuel.
The Welshman, who turned 23 ten days ago, produced an all-action display alongside veteran Craig Mackail-Smith in the Chairboys’ attack.
He won a penalty, played a part in another goal and forced Norwich keeper Michael McGovern to make a superb save.
It was an extremely encouraging display given that it was only Samuel’s fourth appearance for the Chairboys.
Encouraging
He came on as a late sub in the previous round’s penalty shoot-out win against Forest Green Rovers and then made a pair of Checkatrade Trophy starts, scoring in the 2-1 victory against Fulham U21s. And it appears Samuel is willing to do everything he can to show he can cut it with League One Wycombe. The forward was restricted to Checkatrade Trophy games in his Swansea days, though did have spells out on loan at Morton and Newport. He joined Stevenage on a permanent basis in May 2017 and scored four goals in 28 games last term before being released. Now he’s moved up a division, signing for Wycombe a little over a month ago. Boss Ainsworth had been impressed when he saw Samuel play for Stevenage against his side and also in a trial period before he signed him until January. The manager had only words of praise for the hungry striker after his display against Champion- ship outfit Norwich. “I like what he is about, his attitude, he’s very Mackail-Smith like and he never gives the defenders any peace at all,” said the 45-year-old former QPR winger.
“His whole outlook on life is absolutely fantastic and he’s a shining example to a lot of people. He just loves playing, he’s with the boys and he’s with the team.
“He’s just a fantastic person and player to have around the club. I’m really pleased we’ve signed him and he’s doing himself no harm at all in getting a longterm deal at Wycombe Wanderers.
“He’s part of this future group, this young group that are coming through and could be the next generation for the club.
“He’s signed until January and we’ll be looking to keep our best players, and Alex is doing himself no harm at all with his performances.
“He’s just excelling in what he does. His energy is phenomenal. The more performances like that he can put in, the better it is for me and Alex himself.”
Plaudits
It was Norwich striker Jordan Rhodes who took the bulk of the plaudits after his hat-trick at Adams Park. And while Samuel may well have admired the Scottish international’s display from the other end of the pitch, Ainsworth believes his young forward can learn more from his own ‘dad’s army’ strikeforce.
Mackail-Smith is 34, while Adebayo ‘The Beast’ Akinfenwa and Nathan Tyson are both 36.
“Rhodes has been sold for maybe £20 to £30m,” added Ainsworth. “You are looking at a different level so I don’t know about learning from him, but Alex is certainly learning from the likes of Akinfenwa, Mackail-Smith and Tyson in my squad.
“He’s like a sponge at the moment soaking everything up. He’s practising very hard and he’s got a smile on his face. I love working with him.”