Elijah Adebayo recently signed a new deal with The Cottagers to extend his contract until the summer of 2019 and after signing on loan a few days ago, Gary Johnson offered the youngster some valuable playing time.
In Cheltenham Town’s 2-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley, the 20-year-old striker started his debut up-front alongside Mohammed Eisa.
Here’s Elijah’s thoughts on the move till the end of the season:
How did he perform?
He lasted 67 minutes before being replaced by Brian Graham and according to Cheltenham manager Johnson, he only showed flashes of his quality and potential.
“I didn’t think he did enough today, he livened up just after half-time.
“These lads have to get thrown in there and it’s a culture shock to them a little bit.
“He’s got ability definitely, he is powerful but sometimes I think it takes under-23 players a few games to get used to the level.
“He’s got the tools, but he has to bring it out at this level.”
The 6ft 4in striker had a great opportunity in stoppage time of the first-half which would have levelled it up for The Robins, but he blazed his shot well over the bar.
Fans Reaction
4 Thought Adebayo was out of depth but hope it was just young lads nerves on debut. Good to hear GJ say he needed to do more sfter the game #ctfc
— Mark Halliwell (@MarkHalliwell1) January 14, 2018
Adebayo was ineffective with the ball in the air, looked a lot more comfortable with the ball on the floor. Maybe Fulham don’t practice ‘hoof ball’ in training. He better get used to it. #CTFC
— Bobby Owen (@bobbyowen91) January 13, 2018
What was Adebayo ‘Promising’ ? To fall over more often, miss more headers, not to track back, not to try to win the ball back when he lost it, stand around more and look clueless? #CTFC
— Ian CTFC (@iansportsone) January 14, 2018
Adebayo looks strong but he doesn’t look like he’s using his strength #CTFC
— Ξll (@elliottrichmond) January 13, 2018
What an awful game of "football". Never looked like winning or even scoring. Adebayo didn't win a header and has a lot of improving to do #ctfc
— Matt Brookes (@Matt_Brookes_17) January 13, 2018
Obviously the pressure that comes with making your first professional appearance got to Adebayo but the fans are hoping to see those glimmers of quality turn into consistent performances.
What’s next for the new man?
Having scored 11 goals for Fulham’s Under-23s in the first half of their season it’s quite clear that the striker knows where the back of the net is.
However, despite his previous loans to two non-league outfits in both Slough Town and Bognor Regis Town, the young man needs to step his game up. In order to score goals at this level, in a real competitive environment he’ll need to work hard.
Despite not quite delivering on his debut, there’s a lot more to come from the Fulham prospect.
