Robbie Savage on why he is backing 'brilliant' Bolu Shofowoke to play through current Peterboorugh United form rather than giving him a rest
Peterborough United boss Robbie Savage has insisted that Bolu Shofowoke does not need a rest, rather than he needs to play through the current run of form that he is on.
The Posh boss was asked on Friday about the 18-year-old’s current form, with the suggestion from many fans being that the teenager looks in need of a rest.
Savage has dismissed that suggestion and insisted that Posh need to give him the ball more in matches and he needs to play through his current run.
Shofowoke has started 13 matches for Posh in all competitions this season and provided one goal and one assist. His goal came at Watford in the EFL Cup tie in August. He has started all four of Savage’s matches in charge and was substituted at half time in Tuesday night’s defeat at Huddersfield.
Savage said on Thursday: “I think the kid is such a talent. Him and Lucca have been stand out for me, especially having come through the academy.
“I just think that we can give him the ball more and being braver with that. He’s got to be braver too.
“If you have Bolu on the teamsheet, managers thing ‘watch him’ but we have to utilise him more.
“People are saying does Bolu need a rest? No, Bolu doesn’t need a rest.
“The easiest thing to do now would be to give him a rest becase he’s maybe not been a sharp as we would like but Bolu on the team sheet is something an opposition manager doesn’t want.
“Now what we have to do is let him play through this moment because he is such a talent and he will go for millions.
“Now, he’s got to get through this period and be braver. If he gets the ball ten times, he needs to run at the full-back ten times. If he loses it ten mines, I don’t care as long as he is sprinting and him and is willing to make mistakes.
“I don’t want him turning back and being safe. Take your man on, go and enjoy yourself; you’re 18, play with a smile on your face, release all the pressure and go and have fun. Get the ball and go and do what your best at, taking people on and causing havoc.
“If he does it ten times and loses it, he’ll have a manager who believes he’ll set up a goal on the 11th time.
“That’s the message to all of the players, just go and do it because I believe in you, you are a brilliant player.”