Lock: 'The last couple of games have been really enjoyable'

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Lead U21s Coach Chris Lock has been pleased with the performances from his side as of late, as they beat Millwall 2-0 at Sparrows Lane on Friday afternoon.

The young Addicks have won back-to-back games, scoring eight goals and keeping two clean sheets in the process. A 6-0 win over Swansea City U21s and a 2-0 win over the Lions' U21s this week sees Charlton move up into fourth in the Professional Development League South standings. 

Speaking after the Millwall game Lock said:"The last couple of games have been really enjoyable. There have been a few games lately where they didn't get the result at the end of it but played really well. These last two games, we weren't as fluid as we wanted to be with the ball, but they got the result at the end of it. What we have seen from the last few games is nearer to what we expect and what they are going to get at first team level and what they are going to go into, it's setting them up well." 

Meanwhile, there has been a trialist around Sparrows Lane that has made an impression on Lock and his team, having scored in back-to-back games. 

"The trialist has done well in the two games that he has come in, he is a great lad, a great attitude," explained Lock. 

"We are still assessing what he does with the ball, but he has put himself in a really good position." 

"There are two sides to being in this position. As a coach you always want to have the side you would consider the strongest team," he added.

"But also the reality is that we are still a developing environment, so the fact that players are going out on loan and going into the first team, that is what they need for their development."

"It will be massive to have some momentum, good performances and results. This year's U21s league there has been a bit of a new format where if you come in the top eight nationally, the bottom sixteen of the Category One division will be playing a play-off at the end of the season, so the nationals are between Category One and Category Two, so in terms of performance, we want to qualify for that. And then the outside we want to continue to see our lads develop and hopefully play in front of the manager more often, so he gets to see what he could next have in his squad."

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