‘Birmingham win means nothing if we don’t kick on’ – Charlton defender Josh Edwards sends out League One message

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Josh Edwards has only positive words to say about Charlton Athletic’s performance against big-spending Birmingham City but has warned they must use the 1-0 victory over the League One leaders as a catalyst for more impressive results.

It was the Scottish full-back’s long throw which was finished at close range by Matty Godden to hand the Blues a first loss in England’s third tier since relegation in May.

But, far more importantly, it also ended a run of three straight losses for Nathan Jones’ side.

The question is whether the confidence gained from completely nullifying the promotion favourites can be carried into the remainder of the October schedule.

Charlton are heading into a challenging eight-day period which sees a midweek trip to Barnsley sandwiched between home fixtures against tomorrow’s opponents Stockport and Wrexham, the latter pair above them in the standings.

“It was a good way to enter the international break but, to be fair, it is only one game,” said Edwards, signed in the summer from Dunfermline, when asked about setting the bar high against Birmingham.

“The two performances before that weren’t quite up to our standards.

“We were proper focused and knew we had to make things right. We really stuck to our tasks and the gaffer did as well. We really got a grip of the game, got them pinned in and they struggled to get out.

“The game plan worked really well and the pressing was perfect – everyone was in position to nick the ball. We probably could’ve scored a couple more goals based on the chances we had when we did nick it off them. Eventually we did score one of them.

“It was a well-deserved win but we’re under no illusions that one win solves everything. We know we need to use this as a platform and put in those type of performances again, if we do that then we will keep winning football matches.

“There’s no point winning that game and then losing the next couple – because then you have won one game in five. It is essential we go and have a really good week but we know we are up against tough sides, all of them have started the season really well.”

Edwards recently returned to the first-team fold after being stretchered off in the 1-0 win over Leyton Orient in August.

The 24-year-old was caught late on the ankle by former Charlton defender Sean Clare and missed five games before returning as a sub in the EFL Trophy win over Cambridge  United in mid-September.

Asked if initially he feared it was a serious injury, Edwards said: “Yeah, I did. I knew at the time it wasn’t broken as I have had a few broken bones before. It is just how badly the ligaments are damaged.

“There were some grade two tears but nothing was ruptured and no surgery was needed. I had about a week wearing a protective boot and then was back on my feet.

“It wasn’t malicious by Sean. The ball bounced, we had the chance of a counter attack and I did everything I could to get their first.

“Sean came in a bit late. Yeah, he was high – but when it happens at that speed you are making decisions in a split-second.

“There are no hard feelings at all. It happens in football.

“It was my first properly serious injury in football. I’d been lucky until that point. My girlfriend saw the challenge on social media – slowed down – and my ankle is in a position it should never be in.

“I probably just wish the referee had played on because I’d put TC (Tyreece Campbell) through on goal.”

Edwards feels that he is beginning to get back up to the levels he was hitting before his setback against Orient.

His first Charlton assist came from his long throw which bounced inside the box and was clinically dispatched on the swivel by Godden.

“It’s not my prettiest one and it is not going to be on any highlights reel but I’m certainly happy to claim it as an assist,” said Edwards. “It was probably my worst throw of the game – very loopy and didn’t float too well. But it ended up in the back of the net, so I’m not complaining.

“I’ve seen it back a few times from different angles and you look at Matty’s ability to create that half a yard for himself – it’s a great volley into the bottom corner .

“Godders is so good at that. It’s so hard to deal with his sharp movements in training.”