MICHAEL Appleton says the long-term aim is for Charlton to go places like Portsmouth and dominate after his young Addicks side snatched a late point at Fratton Park.
Pompey head League One after an unbeaten start to the campaign and led at the interval thanks to Abu Kamara’s 31st minute strike from outside the box.
Addicks top scorer Alfie May drew the visitors level in the 71st minute, only for Colby Bishop to restore Portsmouth’s advantage from the spot four minutes later after keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer had fouled Paddy Lane.
Appleton threw on Nathan Asiimwe and Conor McGrandles with seven minutes remaining.
The substitution proved an inspired one, as McGrandles’ stoppage time header sealed a 2-2 draw to maintain Charlton’s impressive overall record against the south coast outfit.
But Appleton is determined the Addicks will be able to consistently go toe-to-toe with the best, as he bids to build a promotion-chasing side.
He told Charlton TV: “I’m proud and pleased.
“I think over time when we grow as a group, expand as a group, get better and get the balance of the squad better and get even more quality through the door come January, I’d like to think at some point – whether it is this season or next season, whenever – that we will come to places like here and dominate.
“That’s where I want to go. That’s the mindset I’ve got. That’s what I’m thinking and that’s where I want to take the football club if I can do.
“If I do, then brilliant. We will have many more good results in terms of draws or victories going forward on the road.”
Charlton had to withstand some pressure from the league leaders, but Appleton was delighted with how they responded to the challenge.
The boss explained: “The biggest thing for me was not just the fact we’ve come from behind twice at a place like this, it is the way we did it because sometimes you can play really well and dominate a game.
“Those other bits come easy because you are in a good moment, you are feeling good about yourself and you are energised.
“But when you can do that when you are under the cosh a little bit – like we were for about 15 minutes tonight – to be able to do that and continue that, take it and then move forward, shows me a lot about the group from a positive point of view.”
Maynard-Brewer proved to be Charlton’s hero on more than one occasion by making several vital stops, something which didn’t escape the manager’s attention.
Appleton said: “We knew we would have to defend well today. We knew Ash would have to play well.
“I would prefer he didn’t have to make as many saves as what he did I suppose in that second half.
“But I’ve got to say from a commitment point of view, the lads put their bodies on the line at times and almost earned the right to get an opportunity to go up the other end.
“I thought we took the goal really well and even towards the end, we could have nicked it.
“That is the desire they’ve got within the group.”
