PAUL Maitland believes there is a lot more to come from Aaron Rodriguez in a Weymouth shirt, after he agreed terms on a new deal with the club.
The former Gillingham Town man initially signed for the Terras last summer as a trialist under former boss Jason Matthews.
But, with the winger having bought into the club’s new management structure under Mark Molesley for next season, assistant-manager Maitland has full belief in Rodriguez’s ability to deliver the goods.
“I think he doesn’t actually realise how big his potential is himself,” said Maitland, when asked about the talented wide-man.
“He does have a lot of potential and could have a big future, if he is prepared to put the work in to get there.
“He had a bit of a stop-start season this year but, in the final two or three months of the season, he was one of the better players and was immediately one that we looked to re-sign for this coming season.”
Maitland added: “I think he’s actually grown up quite a bit over the season and I think, certainly in the last few months, he has grasped what it is like to be at this level and what it takes.”
Quizzed on what Rodriguez could work on to improve, the Weymouth assistant added: “He could do with physically toughening up a little bit because of the rigours of the league and some of his decision making just needs to be tidied up with knowing when to beat a man and when to pass the ball.
“They are all things that come at playing games at that level, understanding he game, and knowing your game a bit more.
“I think a lot of it with Aaron is that he just needs to have a little bit of belief in himself.
“He is very much a confidence player and, when his confidence is sky high, he can be unplayable at times.”
