‘It was intense, wasn’t it?’ – Charlton boss Dean Holden gives his verdict on 2-2 friendly draw against Millwall

Charlton manager Dean Holden described it as “a really positive night” after his side more than held their own in this evening’s pre-season friendly at Millwall.

The League One club went ahead early on through exciting 18-year-old midfielder Karoy Anderson with Charlie Kirk then adding a second after neat combination play between Scott Fraser and Alfie May.

Charlton were forced into a half-time change with centre-back Deji Elerewe forced off with a knock.

Millwall reduced the deficit through Kevin Nisbet, the hosts quickly countering after an Addicks attack turned over.

Substitute Aidomo Emakhu found a late equaliser after being played through by Romain Esse to make it 2-2.

Holden told the South London Press: “It was intense, wasn’t it? That’s what we want at this stage of pre-season – 10 days out from the first league game, with a friendly game to go.

“The ferocity of the game, it was end to end, and we showed real aggressiveness in the way we pressed first half, in that system. There is still lots to do, in terms of keep improving it. But there were really good signs tonight and it doesn’t half help when you have got mobile players in your team. That’s one of the reasons we wanted to recruit like we have done.

“The youngsters, in particular, were very good. I was really pleased with the night’s work from them, aided by some really solid performances from the seniors around them. We looked really dangerous in that first half.

“The goals we scored, and I’ve found myself saying it a lot in pre-season, we’re scoring some excellent goals. At times, in the second half, if we are being picky then we get into some good areas and we probably need to start scoring a couple more scruffy goals – shooting through bodies and crossing through bodies and testing the defence rather than coming back.

“We saw that for the second goal, we probably could’ve crossed it even earlier and we end up coming back, losing it and seconds later they go and score.

“We changed the system in the second half, we lost Deji (Elerewe). We stuck with that same system because we have to look – that’s what pre-season is for, you try different things because it will help us in a 46 game, 10-month slog in League One and the slight adaptations we will need. If we get a couple of injuries during the season or something happens in the game then we will need an adaptable team.

“I was pleased with a lot of it and just disappointed we couldn’t end it with a win because after they get it back to 2-2 we go and have two or three really good chances, it could’ve been a really nice moment in front of our fans to go and win the game.

“The bigger picture is it is a really positive night.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD