Russell Benjamin set to shine for AFC Telford
AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson today backed midfielder Russell Benjamin to have a major impact on the club's charge for promotion.
Benjamin returned after five games out with a knee injury and scored his first competitive goal for the club in Saturday's 1-0 win at Workington.
The 22-year-old formed a combative unit in the middle of the park with enforcer Mike Grogan, as playmaker Charlie Barnett was switched to the right wing in a tactical reshuffle.
It was Benjamin's wind-assisted strike after just 16 minutes that guided Liam Watson's side to three precious points and lifted them into the Skrill Conference North play-off places.
He has been pegged back by injury and a three-match suspension for a straight red card against Harrogate Town earlier in the season, but appears to have the bit between his teeth.
Watson said: "Russell has had things to contend with this season, there was the sending off and suspension and then he got injured just as he was starting to come into really good form.
"It was nice that he hit the ground running again and even better that he got his first goal, I think he will become a big player for us. Him and Michael are both good on the front-foot.
"It's the first time the Telford fans will have seen Charlie in the wide area and it might suit him more at this level, as he's more of a back-foot player who is very good on the ball."
Watson thinks a rugged pairing in the centre of the pitch is fitting with the team that have produced success for him at the level, with two Conference North titles to his name.
Assistant boss Dominic Morley played under him at Runcorn FC Halton, Burscough and Southport and he believes the Bucks No 2's work with the midfielders on the training field is paying dividends.
Watson said: "I look at all of the teams I have ever had and I have never had outstanding flair in the middle of the pitch. It's always been more of a will to win and a physical approach.
"Dom has been the mainstay of my teams before and he was a good performer but, above all, he was physically strong and dominant. He was good in the air and could play, too.
"He's always telling our midfielders to win their second balls and play on the front-foot, which is what he brought to the party. They are learning from him."
