Charlton’s Sean Clare says the Addicks silenced the crowd at happy hunting ground Fratton Park

BY LOUIS MENDEZ

Sean Clare reckons Charlton silenced the boisterous Fratton Park crowd as the Addicks claimed a remarkable ninth win in 10 visits to Portsmouth.

The South Londoners have just one blemish on their record during trips to Portsea Island since 1996 – a Premier League defeat in 2005.

A strike from Conor Washington and an own-goal from Clark Paterson were enough for the Addicks to make it six consecutive triumphs on Pompey’s home turf – despite Michael Jacobs cutting the deficit late on on Monday evening.

“I just heard about the record – I didn’t know that beforehand,” admitted Clare, 25, who supplied the cross that led to the Addicks inadvertent second goal.

“Obviously, it’s a big club we’re playing against. They’ve got good support. I think we dealt with that really well. We were able to keep the crowd quiet at times when they were getting behind them. I think it’s a credit to all the players out there.

“I think it was a deserved three points, in the end. It was a bit tight towards the end but they’re a good side who are always going to create chances. But I thought we limited them. I thought we got into the rhythm of the game really quickly and had a good first-half. On another day we score three or four so I think it’s a deserved win. We take the three points and move onto the weekend.

“We’re just taking each game as it comes. It’s a massive one and will be great for confidence beating a team like that who are slightly above us as well. We’re closing the gap to the teams above us. All we can do is move forward. We’ve got another big game on the weekend. If we play anything like that, especially in the first-half, we’ll give ourselves a great chance of winning it.”

Clare, snapped up from Oxford United in the summer, was brought into the club as a midfield but has been operating on the right of a back-three over the last few months.

When asked about his current role, Clare said: “I’m enjoying it. I’m still learning a lot on the job. The gaffer has put a lot of trust in me. We’ve got a lot of players right behind me so I know that if I don’t put in the performances I’ll be swapped out because we’ve got a lot of excellent players waiting to get their chance. I’m enjoying it. The team is doing well and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Despite talking seven from a possible nine points, the Addicks still sit 14 away from the play-off places – but Clare says the side will keep striving to make a dent in the deficit.

“Anything is possible. We’re stepping into each game knowing that we’ve got the players in the building to win these games. On any given day we can beat any team. That’s all that we can do. Nothing is completely out of reach until it officially is. We’re just going to win every single game that we play and hopefully we can move up the table. You never know.”

PHOTOS: KYLE ANDREWS