Josh Edwards: Charlton Athletic will be pushing hard to secure play-off second leg advantage

richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic’s automatic promotion hopes were ended last weekend in Wales, but that does not mean tomorrow’s home game against Burton Albion carries no significance.

The Addicks’ 3-0 loss at Wrexham on Saturday saw the hosts in party mood after they clinched second place in League One behind runaway leaders Birmingham City.

If Charlton are to join the pair in the Championship next season they will have to do it the nerve-shredding way – via the play-offs.

Manager Nathan Jones is going to need to order in more tape for his gnawed fingernails. He won’t be the only one expressing their tension in that manner.

The lowest Charlton can finish is fifth. A win in the final match of the regulation season could lift them one spot – provided Wycombe and Stockport do not play out a draw.

If the Addicks can climb one spot it would mean their play-off semi-final second leg would be at home on May 15.

It was that way around when they last went up via this route under Lee Bowyer in 2019 as they saw off Doncaster Rovers following a penalty shootout at The Covered End.

“It would be great to have the second leg at The Valley,” Charlton left-back Josh Edwards told the South London Press. “It is something we’re definitely looking to do.

“This weekend isn’t just one of those dead rubber games. We’re certainly looking to win it and get into fourth position.

“It would mean having the second leg at The Valley which could be crucial – the backing we’ve had there recently has been unbelievable. To have the home tie in the second leg would definitely be an advantage.”

The Addicks were unable to derail Wrexham from making it back-to-back promotions.

But Edwards is using the elation on display as fuel for what Nathan Jones side are looking to achieve.

“It certainly adds a wee bit of motivation,” said the Scot, 24. “The scenes after the game for Wrexham would’ve been brilliant, so it is something we’re definitely looking to do during the play-offs and at Wembley.

“Obviously everyone is disappointed with how the Wrexham game ended.

“After the final whistle we knew we could’ve done better – it just didn’t happen for us on the day. It was a sore one for a few hours afterwards but it is important we get back to it this week, train well and hopefully go into the play-offs off the back of a good win at the weekend.”

Edwards has not had a happy experience of the play-offs during his time at Dunfermline.

He made the switch from East End Park to SE7 in June.

“I’ve played in the Scottish Championship play-offs – promotion and relegation ones,” he said. “Unfortunately I lost both of them. I ended up not going to the Premiership and also getting relegated to League One.

“Everything rides on these games, so it is a feeling like no other. It is a great spectacle for fans and it is a great game to play in as a footballer – obviously it’s a lot better if you come out the right end of the result.

“These are the sort of games you work all season for and you want to be involved in.

“There is going to be pressure to it – absolutely. But it is something we are relishing.

“These games mean everything – there is such a big prize at the end of it. You have to go out and beat some really good sides in the play-offs –

Stockport, Leyton Orient, Reading or whoever it is going to be.”

Charlton looked out of the promotion picture after a morale-sapping 2-1 home reverse to Crawley at the start of December.
Since then they have lost just four times in 28 matches – winning 18 of them.

“We’ve done well,” said Edwards. “We had a really tricky middle part of the season, then clicked and found our groove – we went on a really good run.

“We’re proud of that but, for me, it doesn’t mean much if you don’t finish the job.

“That was the goal when the season started – we wanted to get promotion. We have got ourselves back up to the top end of the league but it will be disappointing if we can’t get ourselves over the line.

“Anything can happen in the play-offs but it is something we all very much want to do.

“We’re focused on getting ourselves promoted.

“I won a league title in Scotland, which was amazing at the time and I loved every minute of being part of that team, but going and getting a promotion into the Championship in England would definitely top that.”

PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS