Millwall manager Gary Rowett has praised Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell after the 20-year-old found his third goal of the season in this afternoon's 2-0 win over Cardiff City.
Cresswell headed home the Lions' opener against the Bluebirds after 63 minutes when he was subbed on after captain Shaun Hutchinson was taken off with a groin injury.
Striker Benik Afobe finished the game off for Millwall in the dying minutes, chipping Cardiff goalkeeper Ryan Allsop to confirm the London club's first win in four league games.
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In his post-match press conference, Rowett spoke about how his side started stronger than the Bluebirds and then noted how important Cresswell's involvement was to get the three points.
“We were the better side in the first half, we controlled the game, it was just whether we could get that goal. It was coming – we just had to stay patient
“It was a great header. He was unlucky not to start I just felt I needed to put Muzza [Murray Wallace] back into the back three. I put him left wing-back at Burnley to see if we could make it a little bit more defensively secure. Today at home we’ve got to play attacking wing-backs and see if we can control the game and get into those areas.
"What he’s got to do is do what he did – come on and show that character and what he’s about. That little bit of desire to prove me wrong for not starting him. That’s what he’s done. He’s scored three goals and it’s a carbon copy of against Stoke – it’s a great header. For a 19-year-old, it’s not easy to do – to show that bravery to go and attack it.
“With Hutch’s injury, no doubt he’ll come into contention for the next game. He [Cresswell] has played in six or seven of the nine games so far, he’s done brilliant.”
What do you make of Rowett's words? Let us know in the comment section.
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