By John Kelly
MATCH-winner Charlie Kelman felt he and the side deserved their victory over Birmingham City at The Valley after “a tough few weeks”.
Kelman scored the only goal in the 74th minute, three minutes after replacing Luke Chambers.
It was the 24-year-old’s fifth goal of the season, his first since January, and it was the first time he was on a winning Addicks side in seven games.
“It has been a tough few weeks, a disappointing few weeks for myself, and I only have myself to blame in that,” Kelman said.
“It is all about reactions and football doesn’t always go the way you want it to, and I am slowly learning that.
“I think I deserved that today and the boys deserved that – I’m buzzing.
“Instinctively I’m a very good finisher, but when I have time to think, I can rush at things and snatch at things.
“I’m trying to work hard every day.
“The fans, what a club. I knew what I was signing for. I am just buzzing, it is the best feeling in football. I’m going to finish the season strong and get ready for next season.”
Charlton boss Nathan Jones admitted the contest had taken its toll on him but he saw his side go nine points clear of the relegation zone after a first Championship win in five games.
“I’m drained after that, but that’s normal,” Jones said. “It was important that we backed up last week’s performance, because we were dominant [in the 1-0 defeat to Wrexham].
“I thought we did that today, against a very good side. A side that got record points in our league [League One] last year. They have gone on and improved their squad, and what showed is that we have really narrowed the gap to that.
“I am really proud of the team today.
“This week, the performance was excellent and we managed to get the win, so we are not in a bad place.
“We had more of a threat today, we defended our box well, and when we made changes they came on and affected the game. Charlie Kelman coming on and scoring the winner, it was a perfect afternoon.”
“We are building, Charlie is one person that we really believe in and we see him every day. I spoke to him for a long time after the game. He has been really sharp, really good this week and today’s performance was excellent.
“We want to be front-footed so that every time we go forward there is an opportunity to score a goal. We had the better chances all round.”
It was Charlton’s twelfth clean sheet in the league this season.
Jones added: “If you keep clean sheets, you get opportunities to win games. We have to be built on that, when we build that foundation we can be more fluid and score more goals.
“The best teams in the world are built on hard work. If you out-work teams and you do the basics well then you always have opportunities of winning games, and that is what we are built on.
“We work hard because we want to achieve. We are on a journey. the fans back us, and we can move forward, there has been real unity.”
“It is a great club – with great people.”
Charlton travel to Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
