Ince backs Baldock to deliver the goods
Young striker gets the thumbs up from boss
Paul Ince has backed Sam Baldock to do the business against Charlton after his quick-fire brace against Northampton.
The England Under-20 international striker has had to wait patiently for his chances this season, but in his first start of the season on Tuesday night he reminded everyone just how good he is with two clinical strikes.
And with leading scorer Jermaine Easter away on international duty with Wales over the weekend, Ince has backed the 20-year-old to fill his colleague's boots.
"He is one of those players who when he is one-on-one you always think he is going to score," explained the Dons boss.
"He reminds me a bit of Michael Owen in that when he was one-on-one you thought he would always put it in the back of the net and Sam gives me that confidence. And it's the same with a penalty – you're sure he'll score."
In Ince's first spell at Dons Baldock was a rough diamond in need of some polishing in order to be ready for first team action.
The manager is confident that since then he has learned to read the game even better and is becoming a more complete player.
"Sam made some mature runs tonight," said Ince. "Two years ago he was just making silly runs but he has matured in the last couple of seasons and is making runs that are actually getting him in and beating the offside trap.
"He has had to be patient and understand that Jamma has got something like 10 in 12, and when Jamma was injured he was away with the England U20s. So it hasn't fallen for him right but now he has been given a chance he has taken it with both hands."
After two convincing cup wins, Saturday's trip to second place Charlton Athletic is a key League One clash with Ince's men now on the same points as their London rivals.
The Addicks suffered an embarrassing first round FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Northwhich Victoria last Saturday and Ince is sure they will be desperate to bounce back in the league.
"It's a different game, there will be a much different atmosphere and points are at stake.
"We have had three games in a week now and Charlton will be looking to bounce back after getting beat by Northwich.
"We will be looking to keep this run of ours going because it is important – whether it's FA Cup or JPT – that we keep winning as it breeds confidence. We go there full of confidence.
"But it will be a tough game for us. They are a Championship side who have come down to our level. But we are ready for it and up for the challenge."
But Ince admitted he was disappointed not to be going to The Valley on the back of giving out a real thumping.
"I have said a few times that we've created enough chances to be absolutely burying some teams and if we do score six or seven then it scares Charlton and puts us in the right frame of mind.
"But it is gone now and we have just got to concentrate on winning the next game, which happens to be Charlton away."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Milton Keynes
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
