Exclusive interview with Charlton new boy Tennai Watson on leaving MK and his huge learning experience with Wimbledon

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Any new signing wants to make an instant impact when they join a football club. In Tennai Watson’s case, it took a matter of minutes for him to announce himself as a Charlton Athletic player.

The former Reading, AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes defender made his debut as an 80th minute substitute at the weekend.

And two minutes later he collected an assist. Alfie May timed his pass perfectly for Watson to slide over a cross which was finished by Manchester City loanee Slobodan Tedic to put the South Londoners 2-1 ahead at The Valley.

“The general message before I came on was to go out there and do what I do – bring energy and impact the game,” said the Hillingdon-born right-back, 26. “The more you train with the players you start to get to know them better.

“I like combination play, being on the ball and linking up. We’ve got a great team that can help boost my strengths. As time goes on I’m starting to get into my groove – I’d had a bit of time away, not having a club, so I’ve needed to get back up to speed.

“I feel good in myself and I’m happy the gaffer trusted me to come on and do a job.”

Watson’s last competitive match before facing the Chairboys was on May 7, a 0-0 draw at Burton on the final day of last season. He was offered a new deal by MK but opted to become a free agent after they made the drop to League Two.

“It was one of the toughest things for me – just trying to get in my head what was the right thing to do,” said Watson, who trialled with Brentford and QPR before joining the Royals as a youngster. “It felt quite counter-intuitive to say no to a team that you enjoy playing at – you like the staff, players and people there – especially after a relegation.

“But I had to think about the age I am now and I felt like I had played well over the last two years and that I didn’t deserve to play at a lower level. I think it may have been different if I was younger and I was just starting out in my career.

“It definitely was a difficult decision for me and I’ve got a soft spot for the club.”

In Watson’s situation the transfer window became a game of nerve – the key being to hold his until the right opportunity came up.

He signed a two-year contract with Charlton on September 1.

Watson trialled with MK after he was released by Reading in 2021.

“I had a bit of experience of being a free agent but this was a prolonged period where ultimately you back yourself – that you want to go in a certain direction,” he said.

“Once I got that vision in my mind, I was able to deal with it pretty well and get my head down. I had an off-season programme that I carried on doing and I had other people, mates, who were also free agents.

“I had a good network to keep me fit and keep me going, as well as the support of family, friends and my girlfriend – I was helped through the mental side by them.

“At the start I had a couple of offers, then it went quiet and things change – clubs pull out and other clubs get interested. It was about matching what was on my checklist.

“You do get tempted to maybe take something you’re not sure about. As soon as I heard Charlton were interested it was a no-brainer.

“I’m not going to sit here and lie – and say the process wasn’t difficult! I probably wouldn’t want to do it again. It worked out in the end and I’m delighted with how the situation is now.”

Watson’s first spell in the capital came at AFC Wimbledon, then in England’s third tier, joining on a season-long loan from Reading in the
2018-19 season.

He played under both Neal Ardley and successor Wally Downes – the Dons securing safety on the final day after a 0-0 draw at Bradford City.

“It was very different to what I’d experienced in football up until then and, looking back, it was probably the year that taught me the most about football,” he said. “Just because League One is so different from coming through the academy.

“I’d made one or two appearances before that at Reading but this was a Saturday-Tuesday schedule – coming up against grown men, who utilise their strengths against your weaknesses. I played a game where a number nine pulled on to me and then pinned me – I was young and didn’t know how to combat that.

“The football we played at Wimbledon was a complete contrast to what Reading played under Jaap Stam – it was a lot more direct and about putting the other team on the back foot, turning their defence.

“We weren’t doing well halfway through the season and we would often have our backs against the wall for 20 or 30 minutes at the end of games, trying to defend a lead.

“But it was a good experience because I hadn’t had that before when I was at academy level and at first-team level with Reading – we would normally dominate the ball.

“It was a bit surreal at the start (with Stam) because as a young boy you know who he was. It was a bit intimidating – the fact he was a big, scary guy. But as soon as you had a conversation with him it completely changed your perception – he was very open and a great teacher. He taught me a lot.”

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