Charlton matchwinner Conor Washington: I love taking penalties!

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Conor Washington had no qualms about being on penalty duties in Charlton’s 2-1 win over Northampton Town on Tuesday.

Washington, 28, is the club’s designated spot-kick taker and converted to put the Addicks 1-0 ahead at The Valley.

And he was quick to play down any talk of pressure after Ronnie Schwartz had seen his stoppage-time penalty kept out by Jack Stevens in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Oxford United.

Washington, signed in August on a free after being released by Hearts, is on nine goals for the campaign.

“I felt for him [Schwartz] because it was a good penalty and a good save,” said Washington. “But any striker will tell you it’s a free shot at goal from 12 yards out – you would take that all day.

“It’s always nice to score. The gaffer has been critical of me and I’ve probably deserved it. I look at that as a positive – he wants more from me and I want more for myself.

“I’d have loved to have scored more and think I should’ve scored more, I’m disappointed with that. You want to get to 10 as quickly as you can. I’m close, but I want more than that. I want to be the main man going into the end of the season, like I’m sure all the other three [forwards] do.”

Charlton are just outside the top six and are reliant on other clubs slipping up.

But asked if he still believed the play-offs were obtainable, Washington replied: “One hundred per cent. That is why I signed for a club like this. I want to be involved in games like that and be promoted back to the level I want to be playing at.

“You never want to go in feeling you have to win – but we had to win [the Northampton match] if we want to do anything this season. It would be a real shame for this squad not to do it.”

Pics by Paul Edwards