Liam Manning has suggested George Earthy must add more goal contributions to his game to kickstart his loan spell with Bristol City in the second half of the season.
The 20-year-old was the Robins’ fourth addition of the summer transfer window, making the temporary move to Ashton Gate from West Ham United having featured for the Hammers’ first-team at the end of last season under the management of David Moyes.
So far, the versatile midfielder has made 19 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, but only four of those have seen him named in the starting line-up. The majority of Earthy’s minutes have come at right wing-back and the only time he has begun a game as an attacking midfielder was his last start in City colours against QPR in December.
Since then, the Hammers loanee has had to settle for a place on the bench with Scott Twine and Anis Mehmeti the typical starters in attacking midfield. Though Manning expects him to be frustrated by his lack of game time, he insists he and his coaching staff have faith in the youngster.
“Definitely,” Manning replied when asked if Earthy could kickstart his City career in the second half of the season. “George is an intelligent footballer. I know he’ll be frustrated to not have more minutes, but when you look at it, it’s his first loan.
“I think it speaks volumes how we’ve used him, using him in important games and at important times I think shows the trust we have in him and then it’s about grabbing it. Obviously, when he came on at Plymouth, he had a terrific opportunity to win the game and they’re the margins I think when you go from being an academy player on the fringes to you want to force your way into the team. It’s grabbing those opportunities.”
So far, Earthy has been unable to register a goal or assist in his 556 minutes of Championship football this term. However, displays against Sunderland, QPR and Norwich City have shown that he has the ability to be a useful asset at this level, even if he has been unable to provide the finishing touch.
His teammates in the Robins’ changing room have also been quick to credit the young midfielder for his work both in games and on the training field with Mehmeti suggesting the 20-year-old has “everything” you’d expect in a young player.
While Manning has been more than willing to start Earthy out of position when required, he admits that he thinks he is best suited as a number 10. With competition rife in that position in the current City squad, the Reds head coach has challenged the West Ham gem to have a greater impact on games in the final third.
“He’s terrific to work with,” Manning said. “He’s someone who’s going to have a bright future in the game and he’s just got to keep his head down, and keep working, which he does every single day. He pesters people to do extras constantly. You saw it at the weekend, we’ve played him eight, we’ve played him wing-back and we’ve played him higher. He’s just a really intelligent footballer.
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“You have to be really clear on what your qualities are and try and nail down a position. For me, I think he’s best higher up. I look at him central, in kind of that 10 role, triggering a press. His link-up play is excellent, he can drop down, and join attacks. He’s scored a lot of goals in 21s football and I think in time that will start to happen as well.
“Ideally, we can push him now to try and get it out in games now when he comes on or when he starts. I think the big bit for him is the goal contributions, the goals, the assists. So much of the rest of the game, the defensive, the basics in possession are really good, it’s now that final bit.”
With Marcus McGuane and Joe Williams ruled out of Bristol City’s clash with Coventry City this Saturday, Earthy could be afforded another opportunity against the Sky Blues at the CBS Arena. The expectation is that Max Bird will return to the starting line-up to partner Jason Knight at the base of midfield, but with games coming thick and fast over the next week, Manning will be forced to rest and rotate his midfield at some stage.