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Bowyer makes honest admission about the academy graduates

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One thing Charlton is known for is for its academy, which over the years has produced some quality players and continues to do so today.

This season has been a great opportunity for the youngsters due to the number of injuries we have sustained so far this campaign, with the likes of Alfie Doughty, James Vennings and Josh Davison stepping up to first-team action.

Josh Davison grabbed his first goal for the club yesterday against West Brom with a well-placed header into the right side of the goal giving former Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone no chance with a headed assist by Naby Sarr.

It’s mad to think that Davison was playing for Enfield Town a few months ago and now he’s scoring against the team that is top of the Championship.

The experience he got yesterday will be invaluable to him going forward and I think he will grab this opportunity and make the most of it, I can see he will be a good striker in the future.

Alfie Doughty is the one who I have personally been impressed with the most, I think he is a very exciting player but at the moment I think he needs is maybe a little rest in-between every two or three games as we don’t want to rush a talent like him.

Lee Bowyer spoke of the academy graduates to The News Shopper after the West Brom game yesterday and here is what he had to say

“All our lads, the young lads, they’re all very comfortable and good in possession, but they all lack the same thing out of possession, they switch off.”

“It’ll come with age, I was the same they need to learn the defensive side.

“I have to be careful not to be too harsh on the young lads.

“Alfie, today you could ask, ‘could’ve he stopped the cross for the second goal? ‘,

“But I’m asking him to play in a position that he’s not really use to.”

Bowyer knows that the youngsters will make the mistakes that experienced players often won’t at least he understands that with these players as they could become great individuals one day.

With the guidance of the coaching staff we have now, I think we have the best chance to make these three great players one day.

We haven’t seen much of Vennings but there will be more to come of him, however, once the new signings come in we probably won’t be seeing him until next season as I think the one who is least ready out of the three.

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