Zak’s the way to do it, says Telford boss Gavin Cowan
Zak Lilly has set the standard with his performance against Chorley now and has created competition at the back for AFC Telford United.
That is the verdict from boss Gavin Cowan, who was full of praise for the young striker turned centre half after his performance in a back three against the league leaders.
Cowan has been vocal in his assessment of Lilly this season, insisting he is a better defender.
He said: "He did well, and I'm not going to covert a striker into a defender for my own ego.
"He has all the attributes, he is strong and can play so it was a no brainer.
"Zak has been pulling up trees in training and we put him in there.
"We spoke in the summer and I told him he wouldn't feature much as a striker, but was a defender.
"He took the gel out of his hair and stopped going down the gym to impress the girls, and he has concentrated on his football.
"He's lost weight and is in good shape, and has listened to me and others.
"I was impressed with him and he has to keep that standard because others like Dom Smith and Ross White can play there."
Smith wasn't named in the squad on Saturday, but Cowan insisted the defender's attitude was spot on and he will work hard to reclaim his spot.
He added: "I wouldn't say Zak has leapfrogged him, they will be working against each other to push each other, all players will.
"Dom is the ultimate professional, he is a man and saw he wasn't in the squad and got on with it."
