MILES Leaburn says all of Charlton’s forwards are buzzing with confidence after Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Reading.
All of the goals came after the break and were shared between Chuks Aneke, Tyreece Campbell, Alfie May and Leaburn, who completed the rout after bursting clear in the 94th minute.
Corey Blackett-Taylor set up the opening three strikes and Charlton’s attacking strength in depth was underlined by the fact both Campbell and Leaburn came on as substitutes to find the target.
That took Leaburn’s own tally to six goals from nine games in all competitions so far this season and the 19-year-old revealed everyone is full of belief with Charlton unbeaten under new boss Michael Appleton.
He told Charlton TV: “I feel like that, especially with all the attack doing well – even the guys off the bench like me and TC.
“Corey got three assists, Chuks’ goal, Alfie’s goal and my goal – it is just a really good time for us attackers and we are showing that we can score goals when we are going forward.”
On his own goal deep into stoppage time, Leaburn added: “When I’m through I back myself. I don’t think I’ll be caught.
“The guy today was quick, almost as quick.
“When I was going forward, I just had a little sneaky look at the keeper and I saw him moving to the other side early so I just went near post.
“When you see the ball rippling the net you just wheel off in celebration.
“I seem to get all of my goals in front of there (Covered End) because the support is so good.”
The Valley also got to witness the first home shutout under Appleton, something Leaburn believes is just as important as what he and his fellow attackers are doing at the opposite end of the field.
He added: “Even the gaffer said when we came in, although we scored four goals that clean sheet is a massive for us because you see the way everyone is throwing their bodies on the line.
“I saw Scotty (Fraser), Dobbo (George Dobson) – all of them just throwing themselves in front of the ball.
“It just shows the team spirit and awareness that, even though we get the four goals, the willingness to get the clean sheet as well.”
Appleton also echoed those sentiments.
The manager said: “Probably the players were expecting me to come in and give pats on the back about our attacking play and stuff, which I will do obviously over time, but the one thing I spoke about was the desire to keep the ball out of the goal.
“We had two or three blocks in or around the edge of the box and there was a real hunger to make sure we got that clean sheet.
“That’s what impressed me as much, or not even more so today, than some of the attacking play because a side like Reading, clearly they are playing without any expectations at this moment in time, which makes them really dangerous.
“I’ve played in teams where there has been no expectation and your confidence and lack of worrying about mistakes is so much lower than a team like ourselves who are expected to win and go and win games on a regular basis.
“I think it is important for people to realise and recognise that.
“It can be difficult sometimes, so for the players to do what they did in the second half, I was really, really delighted.”
