Martin Allen pleased to see Bradley Dack playing well in first team
Martin Allen is pleased with the progress that midfielder Bradley Dack has been making during his first full season as part of the senior squad.
The 18-year-old scored the equaliser during the 1-1 draw against Morecambe and was awarded the `man of the match` for his performance against Plymouth last Saturday at Priestfield.
The Manager responded to whether he thinks Bradley is capable of scoring regular goals at League Two level.
He said: “Not just at this level, the level above and I reckon he will score at the level above that in two years. He scored 27 goals in the youth team last year and scored five first team pro goals in pre-season.
“I could have played him more and put more trust and faith in him but I wanted to build him up physically. I’ve tried to improve him technically and tactically make him more aware of how he has to play. He’s adapted to all those things; he’s a fantastic character who looks after his body. He works in the gym and wants to get better. This is a good place for him to be."
The Manager made reference to other young players within the team and said their pace and athletic ability has a positive impact when they play.
He said: “What we did have out there were good young players, fantastic athletes who can run.
“They get in to areas and positions behind the opposition back four – fantastic running and athletic ability. People like Dack, Allen and Robinson freshened it up with the pace they have got and that’s priceless. They do that four mile run up the hill next to the training ground – three roundabout run which is horrible at half past seven in the morning.
“Allen, Dack and Davies have been doing it and its fantastic with those young players who are coming through.
“Muggleton is one from the youth team who was on the bench today. Because the pitch was so muddy we were going to use his weapon and perhaps near the end we could have had him on. That is something that Gillingham fans will see soon.”
Charlie Allen returned to the first team after missing six games due to a hand injury, and Martin admitted it was a matter of instinct as to why he played and revealed he only got the all clear to train three days ago.
He said: “The consultant said he could start training again on Thursday, he trained on Friday for the first time and sometimes as a Manager I just have to go with my gut feeling.
“He shouldn’t really have played today because he hasn’t done anything for six weeks and only did one full training session yesterday in a five-a-side.
“He broke the club record Wednesday morning for the four mile run – he has worked so hard in the last five weeks and is the fittest and fastest player at our club.
“He has the running ability to go past defences and get in behind and hurt them and when he was doing that in the second half he looked some player.”
To read Martin's Morecambe reaction click here.