Kevin Nolan and Ethan Wheatley have a close relationship. Picture: Pete Nortonplaceholder image
Kevin Nolan and Ethan Wheatley have a close relationship. Picture: Pete Norton
Kevin Nolan has told Ethan Wheatley to ‘forget it and move on’ after the young striker’s own goal against Cardiff City on Saturday.
Trying to clear Joel Bagan’s second half corner three minutes after bringing Cobblers level, Wheatley got it all wrong and skewed the ball into his own net as Cardiff restored their lead and ultimately went on to win the game.
Nolan has previously spoken about how the 19-year-old loanee can be hard on himself but, after such a good performance at Sixfields, he hopes that is not the case this week.
"Ethan's disappointed but I just said to him that these things happen in your career,” said Nolan. “I did one of those away at Middlesbrough and I still remember it like it was yesterday. It's a learning curve but I thought he was excellent and he took his goal fantastically and I was really pleased for him to get another goal because he deserved it.
"I'm gutted for him after the own goal but it's part of parcel of being a footballer. One minute you're high, the next you're scoring an own goal. These things happen but he's been fantastic for us
"Ethan and I had a real good chat for 15 minutes on Friday after training and I said to him that I want him to keep doing what he's doing. It's been tough because he's been up front on his own but I've wanted to play him next to somebody at times and I think he's led the line fantastically well.
"He's a young lad making his way in the game and I think you saw the best of him when he was next to somebody who's a bit more of a battering ram and I think we'll continue to see the best of him.
"I was delighted with his output today, as I was with all of the players. He'll be hard on himself but he has to forget it, move on and take the positives because it was a really good display.”
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