Blues boss Paul Lambert was pleased with Andre Dozzell’s performance at Gillingham on Saturday, in which the 20-year-old played a significant part in Kane Vincent-Young’s winning goal, but admits that finding the best way to utilise the England U20 international’s talents is still ongoing.

Dozzell was making his third start of the season, his second in the league, in addition to one appearance from the bench.

“I thought he did well, he hasn’t played for a long time for the first team for a while, although I know he played with England [one start and one sub appearance earlier this month],” Lambert said.

“His pass in the move was the catalyst for the goal because he’s the one that changed the pace of the ball at that time.

“I was happy for him for that hour he was on. The kid’s not played that much. He’s a big talent Andre Dozzell, he really is, we’ve just got to get the balance of what his main, main strength is. If we get that then he’s a really good player.”

Lambert says it’s about playing the right players around Dozzell and also playing to his main attributes.

“There is that, and what his strength his,” the Blues manager continued. “What’s his main strength, whether it’s scoring goals or assisting goals or being a playmaker. I think he’s in between that at the minute because he’s such a good footballer.

“It’s getting that final thing from him to see where he is, but he’s only a kid, he’s only a young boy, that’ll come. He’ll settle into something that he’s really good at.”

Like his father Jason, the midfielder made a scoring debut as a 16-year-old at Sheffield Wednesday in April 2016.

However, more than three years on he has made only 23 senior starts and 13 sub appearances, fewer than the likes of Luke Woolfenden - 62 starts and five games as sub for Town, Bromley and Swindon - and Flynn Downes - 43 starts and 20 matches from the bench for the Blues and Luton - who both had loans spells as part of their development.

Lambert says that it’s understandable that Dozzell is still finding his feet in first-team football.

“I think so because he had a bad injury, he was out for a length of time, that’s probably stopped him going on loan when he might have gone out,” he reflected.

“His game time is not as high as Woolfy and people like that. But Andre’s a really big talent.

“Put it this way, when I play him, I’ve got absolutely no fear whatsoever about what I’m going to get from him.”

Photo: TWTD

ShropshireBluenago09 added 12:57 - Sep 25 Another ‘No 10' imo
0

dugoutdave added 13:53 - Sep 25 I know many will not agree but honestly I think he's overrated. One of our own, son of a respected former Ipswich player doesn't cut it with me. Neither does one good pass a match. I think he's too lightweight and, accepting the bad injury, hesitant to go on for the tackle. A spell out on loan wont do him any harm.
10

Lathers added 14:08 - Sep 25 Sounds like Lambo is just trying to keep Andre (and Jason) happy. We don't want to lose him as he might come if age, but I have to agree with DugoutDave, he's never really pushed on from being that exciting kid, he is lightweight and sadly for him he is behind 4 or 5 others for a place in the starting line up, at a L1 club.
5

dirtydingusmagee added 14:10 - Sep 25 totally agree with dugout, i was pleased when he came on the scene, but he has done little to convince me that he is special. No disrespect to the lad ,thats just my opinion , he has some nice touches but can go missing , hasnt been a stand out player that some thought he was.He is young and has a long way to go , too early right him off ,but he has yet to prove himself.

6

BlueInBerks added 14:17 - Sep 25 Brave of Lambert to come out and say what we've all been thinking. However both he and the season are young and I for one wouldn't mind seeing him in a variety of positions (not at the same time - that's Judge) hoping that the right role may become evident. Wouldn't want to lose him before we've tried all the options
2

Suffolkboy added 14:47 - Sep 25 Time,timing and the right opportunity ,or a few opportunities are crucial to ‘ young ‘ players developing .AD has had a long long period of development snatched away from him, and just maybe at a crucial moment so that a whole phase of his personal structured development plan was written off . PL is not given to exaggeration, enthusiasm may be ; but I'd go along with his assessment of what is and what might/ ought to become of a really talented young man . Patience is a virtue ,so let's see ! COYB

2

PositivelyPortman added 15:25 - Sep 25 You're all agreeing with Lambo, but when Hurst said the same thing he was crucified. Yes Hurst is my uncle. 😂
1

Bergholtblue added 16:17 - Sep 25 Maybe this is Lmbert's way of saying he wants him to go out on loan.
2

strikalite added 16:52 - Sep 25 He simply isn't playing enough first team football, so he isn't likely to improve anytime soon, and why do we always tag our young players as "kids", he isn't a kid anymore, he's 20, I'd certainly send him out on loan, but it wouldn't be in League One or Two, you improve by playing with better players....this is the problem, where does he go?
2

pennblue added 17:21 - Sep 25 I don't think he is overrated, his vision and quality is there To see. But he does need to get over the mental affects of his Injury and go and play a full season somewhere. Getting bits And pieces here And there is not what he needs
1

TimmyH added 17:29 - Sep 25 He hasn't impressed me even at this level (though he's had limited starts)...yes occasionally knocks in that 'killer' pass a phrase a few of his plaudits use but he doesn't get involved enough looks fairly lightweight and goes AWOL when it comes to winning the ball back...
2

Terry_Nutkins added 17:34 - Sep 25 All i keep reading is he is overrated....on that basis alone he doesnt appear to be overrated. I think you have to define what being rated is in his case. In terms of impacting games right now he is behind Downes, Woolf etc. And obviously behind Nolan, Skuse etc. However with Dozzell you are looking at his qualities and his potential is above all of those. Potential means nothing if you don't reach your potential of course but can we stop with the overated stuff. You don't cast away a golden asset, you develop it!! Patience is in such short supply with football fans sometimes!

4

Linkboy13 added 17:43 - Sep 25 We all know Andre's got ability but for me he's never really adjusted the physical aspects of senior football and still looks like a youth team player. He releases the ball very quickly because he's fearful of being tackled. He could go out on loan but at what level would he get regular football and because of this the club are reluctant to do this.
2

blueinscotland added 17:59 - Sep 25 People forget that he has not been given an extended run in the team. It is exceedingly difficult to build momentum and confidence when you are limited to a bit-part role. His passing and movement clearly set him apart as a naturally gifted player. He just needs regular starts to unlock his potential - you don't repeatedly get capped for the national youth teams for no reason.

2

ITFCsince73 added 18:37 - Sep 25 If you start for the England u20,s your some player...make no mistake. It's Lambo,s job to get the best out of him.
0

DoseOfReality added 20:45 - Sep 25 Very Overrated player, Lancaster is far better .. sell him in January for £5m for lambert to spend on who he wants or keep Dozzell & hope it happens .??
1

OxtonBlue added 21:08 - Sep 25 He has played just 23 games, how can people be so sure that he's not up to it? He is one of the stand out young creative talents and that potential needs nurturing. Yes, absolutely he needs to deliver and prove himself as there are others who can take his place but give the guy a chance, he can be very influential and his "gift" of changing the tempo of a game is what we've been crying out for through the Mick Mac years.

3

hollywoodginge added 21:58 - Sep 25 Talent is not in question, it's his application. First team football at any pro level is competing with and against hard workers. Talent only beats hard work if talent works hard.
0

Linkboy13 added 22:11 - Sep 25 Paul Lambert's job is to pick the strongest team available to win football matches, not give players special favours by giving them an extended run in the team, they have to earn the right to do this as in the case of Luke Wolfenden .
0

BigHibbs added 01:42 - Sep 26 These comments are harsh. He will play countless games in the premier league. And I'm convinced he will be called for England
-1

ITFCsince73 added 14:37 - Sep 26 Agree Bighibs, Although on current trends Germany bound. They seem to get the best out the young lions.
0

ITFCsince73 added 14:47 - Sep 26 Doseofreality. You couldn't buy an England u20,s right leg for that money. Rated or not rated. St George's park think he's one of the best 20yr olds in the country. Town do also, that's why he's still part of proceedings.
0

Linkboy13 added 18:24 - Sep 27 Playing for England u20s doesn't guarantee him a first team place,time is running out for him other youngsters who are less prevaliged are catching him up. He wont always be u20 what then u23s i don't think so where will the ego come from then.
0

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