Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has urged Lenni Cirino and Josh Andrews to learn from the senior players around them.
Cirino kept his place to produce another fine display for Gills against Crewe while Andrews shrugged off a potential injury in the warm-up to lead the line.
Ainsworth was pleased with both players but admitted they’ve got plenty to learn – and no better people to learn from than the likes of Max Clark and Sam Vokes.
“When you’ve got someone like Max Clark, who’s an absolute stalwart, been promoted, played at a higher level, to give Lenni the go again was a big decision,” said Ainsworth.
“I think he’s got a lot to learn, definitely. But he’s contributed and he’ll learn plenty.
“He’s very much in the Josh Andrews role of learning the game.
“What a great mentor he has with Max Clark. He’s more of a winger or a wing-back, but Aaron Rowe, again, is getting fitter and fitter.
“We’ve got good options. Max was disappointed [not to play] but the mark of the man is he said ‘gaffer, your decision, that’s fine, I just want to win the game’.
“So Max Clark is certainly all in for this club as well. That’s great for me.
“Josh Andrews, to be fair, had a little issue in the warm-up. He wasn’t sure whether he was going to get through the game.
“He was sensational and I think that’s a big moment for Josh as well. But we’ll pick him up and patch him up.
“Josh Andrews ran his socks off again. Once Sam Vokes came on, again, there was no dip in performance. He’s a big man, a quality big man, with a little bit of tricks that I think Josh can learn.
“Sam hasn’t got Josh’s athleticism, so put them together and we’ve got a hell of a player, but he wouldn’t be playing here probably.
“They’re going to get better, knowing each other, and some real good moves, some real good moments.”
