Clean sheet more important than a rare goal for Charlton centre-back Deji Oshilaja

Deji Oshilaja was happier with Charlton Athletic’s clean sheet more than netting a goal for the first time since November 2018.

The Addicks centre-back was on target in the 2-0 victory at Rochdale on Saturday.

Oshilaja’s last goal came while he was on AFC Wimbledon’s books.

Asked by Valley Pass presenter Scott Minto what was more important – his goal or a shutout for the Addicks – the defender replied: ““It’s definitely the clean sheet. We’ve got players that will score goals and right now we’ve not been keeping as many as we’d like to.

“To get another one is going to build momentum.

“After the Portsmouth game we sat down and we were disappointed how we applied ourselves in terms of winning the second balls. We know we’re very good players but we felt we went away from the second-ball fight.

“We knew they were a good passing side and we got in their faces. I feel like we dominated.”

The 27-year-old was out of the starting line-up for more than two months, initially due to a foot injury. But once fit there was a period where manager Lee Bowyer preferred Chris Gunter and Darren Pratley at centre-back.

Oshilaja said: “I felt before I got injured I was doing well. I had a difficult injury and I was out for a while. I had to be patient but I feel like I’ve been performing well. If we keep keeping clean sheets I’ll be more than happy.

“The boys know if we want to have a chance of getting in the top two or even the play-offs we need to get on a good run – and that starts today.

“Now we need to rest up. Gillingham is going to be a tough game and a physical game. We’ve got good enough players to go on a run, we just need to believe in ourselves.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD