Conor Washington’s brace during Charlton’s 3-2 win against Fleetwood Town extended the side’s winning streak to six.
Speaking post-match, the 28-year-old striker said: “We’ve suffered a little bit of an injury crisis since the start of the season, but the players that are coming in are just ridiculous quality for this level and I don’t think that the strength of the squad can be forgotten about.“
Despite missing Akin Famewo on the day, Ryan Inniss made his comeback alongside Darren Pratley to create a solid back four.
Washington added: “I think, once everyone is fit and firing, the only way is up for us really and the competition is only going to get more intense for us and, if we can keep everyone fit, then obviously the league is going to be in a bit of trouble I think.”
“All The Experience In The World”
Tuesday night’s victory saw the Addicks climb up to third in League One, just three points behind league leaders Peterborough United with a game in hand, and the Northern Irish international praised the value of having a wealth of experience in and around the building.
The Addicks striker said: “It’s really early days but you look around the dressing room and you see you’re signing players like Chris Gunter and Ben Watson and you think this is a group of players that have had all the experience in the world of promotions and playing at a higher level than the one we’re at now, so we need to utilise that.
“There’s going to be sticky patches and we’ve got to have enough about us in the dressing room and on the pitch to get through those as well.”
“Training Has Gone Up A Level”
The work of Director of Football Steve Gallen alongside Charlton’s new Danish owner Thomas Sandgaard and boss Lee Bowyer has really impressed Washington.
He explained: “I went away for the international break and came back and I felt we had about 15 new players. I think credit has got to go to the manager, Steve [Gallen] and obviously the owner as well because the players I came back to were just of a crazy quality to be honest at this level.
“I think the recruitment has been brilliant and they’re the right type of characters as well, training has gone up a level since they’ve all come in and I think you look at our 11 then you look at the subs and then you look at even the lads that aren’t in the squad and that are on the injury table and I think I wouldn’t like to say that anybody in the league would have a better squad than that.
“It’s a great run and, I mean, you look around the changing room and you just think that it just feels like we’re not going to get beat to be honest.”
Aiming High
“The last time I was at this level I think I had 15, 16 goals by Christmas…I’ve not played solely through the middle under the manager, but I’d like to obviously.
“That’s where I like to be, I like getting in those positions and I feel like I’m at an age now where I’m very comfortable in my own skin and with my own game that I know what I’m good at and I know I can score goals at this level. I have done before.
“He’s [Lee Bowyer] going to rotate us all as well, we’ve seen that, so, I mean, if we can get one of us on 20 then fantastic and hopefully that one will be me!”
Next up for the Addicks is a home fixture against Plymouth Argyle in the first round of the FA Cup, while for Washington it’s a European Qualifier at Windsor Park on Thursday for Northern Ireland against Slovakia.
