You saw both sides of Charlton during Saturday’s win at Bradford City, says West Ham United loanee Josh Cullen
BY LOUIS MENDEZ
It’s two Charlton appearances and two wins so far for Josh Cullen following Saturday’s triumph at Bradford City.
The West Ham United loanee has assisted a goal in each of his two Addicks run-outs now, having provided the through ball that sent Karlan Grant away for the opener early on at Valley Parade on Saturday.
Lee Bowyer’s side had to dig in during the second-period as the hosts looked for a way back in, before Lyle Taylor’s superb strike ten minutes from time made the game safe.
“It was a good performance, especially the first-half from the lads,” explained 22-year-old Cullen, who was facing the side he spent a season on loan with two years ago.
“I think second-half, although we’ve got a good result up here, we know we can play better than we did in the second-half. But that’s a positive. We know as a group in there that there’s more to come from us. We’ll keep working hard. That’s three on the spin now. We won’t get too carried away. Another good week of training and looking forward to next weekend.
“First-half I got more touches of the ball and got on it a bit more. It was nice to get the assist. Second-half we had to dig in. They’re a direct team and stuck it on us but as a team we stayed together well and limited them to not too many clear-cut chances. It was a good performance from the team and now onto the next one.
“You saw both sides of us today. First-half we were disappointed we didn’t go in more than 1-0 up. Second-half they came out and put it on us. There will be plenty of times this season, like it was when I was at Bradford, where we have to dig in, stick together and grind a result out. Lyle scores a great goal and makes it a bit more comfortable for the last ten minutes.”
Cullen’s second Addicks appearance came a fortnight after his debut away at Southend as he had been away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland u21 side. The midfielder played the full ninety minutes during both of their UEFA Euro u21 qualifiers – a 1-1 draw in Kosovo on the Friday and a 6-0 home defeat against Germany last Tuesday.
He admitted that had started to tire a little bit towards the end of the victory at Valley Parade as the workload caught up with him.
“Over pre-season I played a few minutes but to play four nineties in two weeks has been a bit tiring with the travelling as well,” he said.
“But I want to play every minute of every game. I’m still young, I’m fit. I feel like I can play. Now, it’s a week to get ourselves ready for the next game.”
Photos: Kyle Andrews
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While I share CARDs disenchantment with the Owner it has to be said that little if anything has been achieved other than risk breaking on the pitch team focus and concentration just when Lee Bowyer is showing his managerial mettle. Those who have been boycotting: go back. Forget you may be putting money in Duchatelet’s pocket. Look positively. At the bigger picture. For any potential club buyer you will be adding value to the club. In the meantime we need a high profile guy usd to high level negotiations, to lead an OFF-THE-PITCH approach to the Owner. Duchatelet will not succumb to CARD pressure. I suggest Michael Grade, top businessman, long time Charlton supporter and (I think) a one-time Board member. Or someone if that ilk.
We need to think outside the box and show an attractive club with huge potential instead of actually if unwittingly diminishing any interest in buying CAFC.
Doug Morrison
Dougmorrison40@aol.com