Charlton Athletic U21 defender Samuel Oguntayo spoke to Valley Gold for Academy Notes following the 2-1 win over Cardiff City at Princes Park.
The young left-back joined the Addicks aged 18 after playing non-league football for two years and describes himself as a forward-thinking defender who likes to express that attacking mindset in the final third of the pitch. He also believes his two years at the Academy have helped develop a tactical knowledge improving his defending having previously played as a winger when he was younger. Speaking after the 2-1 win, he told Valley Gold:
“I initially started the game on the bench and Cardiff scored an early goal in the 2nd minute after regaining the ball from high pressure and running through on goal with the rest of the defence out of shape.
“I was introduced just 10 minutes into the game after an injury to Matt Dench, and Cardiff’s goal didn’t seem to have an effect on the team’s morale as we continued to gain a stronger hold of the game. We equalised in the 32nd minute after I took a quick throw to Henry Rylah who took a touch and crossed the ball into the 6-yard box, the cross missed his target Daniel Kanu who attempted the touch the ball but it caught the keeper by surprise.
“We continued to press Cardiff high up the pitch resulting in a number of regains in the opposition half however we weren’t clinical enough to capitalise, but we did well to keep moving the ball across the pitch, and Harvey Kedwell had a good shot at goal but it flew over the bar.
“The restart gave us a boost to continue the intensity and momentum we had in the first half, and 9 minutes into the half, Harvey Kedwell’s pressing won us the ball back and he set the ball off to Henry Rylah who played a first-time ball into Daniel Kanu’s feet. Kanu entered the box with the ball with his back facing the goal and the ball at his feet, he used his body well to wriggle away from the defender and struck across the goal to give us the lead.
“We managed to nullify Cardiff’s chances by keeping the ball and minimising mistakes in our own final third to hold out for a 2-1 win.”
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