‘It’s been a long time’ – Portsmouth loanee makes admission after making first Charlton Athletic start

Tom McIntyre admitted he felt “a bit like a kid again” after making his first Charlton Athletic start in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Mansfield.

The Portsmouth centre-back, 26, had made six appearances – all of them as a late substitute – since signing on loan for the Addicks on February 3.

But McIntyre slotted into the Charlton backline against the Stags with vice-captain Lloyd Jones not risked due to a tight calf.

The former Reading player had an inkling he was starting when the South Londoners did team shape work on Monday.

“It’s been a long time since I started a game so when I got the call-up it was something I was really looking forward to,” said McIntyre.

“When you come into a team that has been winning and doing so well, like the boys have, it is easy to fit in and do what I’m good at.

“I just tried to relish it.

“When you haven’t played for a little while it takes you back to your younger days when I was first getting in the team at Reading. You get those nerves and a little bit of a buzz. You feel a bit like a kid again.

“I’d love to get a run in the side. I’ve been watching from the bench as they win most weeks and it has been a pleasure. I’ve been chomping at the bit to get involved.”

Charlton have bounced back from a 3-0 loss at Peterborough with successive victories. They have eight wins and one draw from their last 10 League One matches.

“It was really tough (at Mansfield),” said McIntyre. “These are the ones the manager says you can slip up in – they put us under a lot of pressure.

“The manager spoke to us at half-time and gave us clear messages – that we had to put them under more pressure and go back to what we are good at, the basics.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS