The "sky is the limit" for Mipo Odubeko if the Shelbourne striker can improve his decision-making, according to Richie Towell.
Odubeko scored Shels' winner in their Dublin derby against Bohemians on Friday at Tolka Park, which marked his second goal of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division season and third overall including his strike in the President's Cup.
However, pre-game the former Republic of Ireland youth international's finishing was put under a searing spotlight by Roddy Collins on Virgin Media, who described the 22-year-old as "probably one of the worst finishers I've seen in Irish football". Albeit, former League of Ireland manager Collins was very complimentary after every other aspect of Odubeko's game.
But former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Towell, who has had an enviable goalscoring record in the league over the years himself, likes what he sees from Odubeko overall and believes the striker just needs to work on his decision-making to unlock his potential.
"I listened to what Mipo said after the game, he wasn't too happy about not starting the game, which is understandable. He's a young player coming back with a big reputation and he obviously wants to go out and show everybody what he can do," he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
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"When you don't start the game and you come on, there's no better way - especially in a Dublin derby, there's ten minutes to go - chop inside with his left foot and then a cool finish.
"It was brilliant and hopefully that kicks him on now because to be fair, what Roddy is saying, some of the opportunities that he gets in games, he gets himself in incredible positions and I wouldn't go as far as saying he's the worst finisher in the league but sometimes it's the decision-making - when to shoot and when to pass the ball.
"And you could see there, that's the most realistic time to shoot, he chops and he's inside the box and he shoots. But I've seen on other occasions where he can bring his strike partner into play or a third man runner from midfield and he's gone to do it himself and that's purely because he wants to try and impress, he wants to be that player to go on and take Shelbourne to the next level.
"But I think if he just plays a natural game, that will come in time. So hopefully (the goal) gives him the little boost that he needs."
Additionally, Towell added that Duff and assistant manager Joey O' Brien are ideally placed to maximise the West Ham academy graduate's potential at Tolka Park, adding, "You see the threat that he has. If it clicks for him, the sky is the limit really."
Shels' win over Bohs leaves the defending league champions just two points off high-flying Drogheda United in a tightly congested top end of the Premier Division table.
Also speaking on the podcast, former St Patrick's Athletic and Shels winger Conan Byrne explained how Drogheda make the most out of their attacking opportunities despite often having limited time on the ball - for example Friday's 3-1 win at Derry City saw Kevin Doherty's side have as little 27% possession.
But he also praised the way the reigning FAI Cup winners have navigated the tricky transition from a part-time set-up to full-time football this year.
"I think Drogheda are doing so well and I think going full-time has been a huge plus for them," he said.
"Because I've done it a few times, going part-time to full-time and it can be difficult, just in terms of - like I can see Richie there with the protein shake - even that type of stuff where you're so used to having a day-to-day job and then you have to go training in the evening time is that that is completely flipped now and you're training in the morning and you have to look after your recovery and 'what do I eat, what do I drink and what's the best source of protein, food and recovery I need as a full-time player rather than a part-time player'.
"And that took time for me to adjust, so you have to give good credit to people behind the scenes at Drogheda United looking after the players too."
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