Joe Aribo: Charlton must keep focused as they go in search of promotion

Joe Aribo hopes that Charlton can continue to focus game by game as they look to earn the results needed for promotion.

The South Londoners sit in League One’s top six after Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers made it three wins on the spin for Lee Bowyer’s side.

Aribo had headed the Addicks back ahead just before the break, after Jamie Ward’s opening goal had been cancelled out by Joe Martin’s thunderbolt. Karlan Grant then sealed the three points on the counter attack with the final kick of the game.

“Every game that comes we’ve got to get the results,” explained the midfielder.

“Results are what will get us promoted.

“We’re just focused on the game that is coming next. If you look too far ahead, you’re not looking at now. Now is what is most important. If we keep getting results then that’s when we can talk about promotion.

“Our last few results have been good. We’ve wo three in three. We just need to keep maintaining that and getting results.

“We were good in spells in the game but at times showed we have to dig in and get the result. that’s what we did, we grinded and stayed as a unit. Sometimes you have to win ugly.

“Sometimes it can feel like that when you’re leading. It feels so easy and like you can take more risks. That doesn’t help us. It gives the opposition a chance to get back into the game as we’re making mistakes.

“I think today the back four were class. They wanted to defend and that’s what they’re paid to do. They did it very well today. As a unit they were solid.

“There’s been a few disappointing results but looking forward, we’re in a good place now and we just need to maintain our results and stay up as a high as we are.”

Aribo’s header took his tally for the season to four, with him already on course to beat last season’s total of six.

Aribo revealed that he that has set himself a target of surpassing ten for the campaign.

“I don’t want to say, but double figures definitely,” said the 22-year-old.

“That’s what I want to do, I want to get as many goals as I can. I love the feeling and I just want to continue doing it.

“I always hear [Lee Bowyer] on the side shouting at me ‘Joe, get in the box. Higher, higher.’ Just so that I can be in and around it and if it drops to me I will be able to finish it.

The Addicks are back in action on Tuesday evening as they travel to the Midlands to take on Burton Albion – but Aribo says that the quick turnaround in games cannot be used as an excuse for any drop off in performance.

“Sports science are doing what they need to do for us,” he added.

“That can’t be an excuse if we don’t get results. We’re able to do it Tuesday-Saturday. That’s what we work for.”