Charlton midfielder Sean Clare: Performance against Sheffield Wednesday a step in the right direction

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Summer recruit Sean Clare reckons Charlton have got off on the right foot after a decent display in the opening day draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

The South Londoners had the better of the play at The Valley and had a handful of chances to break the deadlock – although they did fail to test visiting goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell throughout the 90 minutes.

Wednesday’s only real opening came late on when Barry Bannan’s marauding run culminated in the former Crystal Palace man dragging wide.

Darren Moore’s side were relegated from the Championship last season and Clare, who was making his Charlton debut, was pleased that the Addicks were able to go toe-to-toe with their opponents.

“I thought it was a very competitive game,” explained the midfielder, who joined from Oxford United during the summer.

“Two teams that you would think will be up there at the end of the season. They’re a good side but I think we were very solid defensively and probably had the better chances overall, the better number of chances especially.

“I think it’s something we can take going forward against one of the better teams in the league we’ve probably had the better of the game. Looking back at it, we’ll look at what we can make better and just move forward from there. There’s definitely a lot of positives.

“As a team we can get sharper near the final third. You probably saw in the second-half it was getting better. That will only come better by playing. In pre-season it’s very in and out, you’re trying to get fitness. Once the season is here, that’s when you really sharpen your tools. I think we’ll score goals and if we’re as solid as we were today, we’ll keep a lot out and get a lot of clean sheets.

“There’s definitely a lot of positives. I think everyone is happy with the performance. Would have liked the win, obviously, but it’s a good step in the right direction.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS