Latics starlets need talk time

Matteo Lanzoni: good start

Manager Lee Johnson reckons young players sometimes prefer to talk through Twitter than face to face on the pitch.

“With lot of young players communication skills have gone out of the game,” said Athletic’s manager, who is one of the more articulate bosses in the Football League, as well as the youngest.

“It drives me insane — it is the easiest thing in the world to do, to say ‘left shoulder’ or ‘man on’. And it saves everyone a load of running.

“It is an interesting one from a coach’s point of view. What do you do to get them to give out simple information? Sometimes I think we are better off chucking phones out to them so they can tweet each other.”

New boy Matteo Lanzoni has enjoyed a bright start to his career with Athletic — and he’s picking up the language.

The former Sampdoria prospect (25), who has played for his native Italy at under-19 level, has nailed a few fundamental words but hopes to improve his language skills soon.

“My English is not very good and I want to learn more. I know ‘get up’, ‘man’ and ‘time’! My friends are helping me and soon I will learn,” said Lanzoni, who has started three times at right-back for Athletic “In Italy the game is more tactical and slower and for me, this football is better,” he said.