We’ve had one eye on the play-offs – that’s why we’ve made sure to end the season in good form – Charlton’s Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen says that Charlton’s upcoming play-off campaign has been on the team’s minds – as they want to go attack them in good form.
The West Ham loanee bagged the South Londoners’ second goal in a 2-0 triumph at Gillingham on Saturday. The Addicks have won on nine of their last twelve outings in League One, keeping clean sheets in six of their last eight.
The Valley outfit could still mathematically face any of the top seven in the play-off semi-finals, but it seems likely that one of Barnsley, Sunderland or Portsmouth will take on the Addicks.
“It’s in our mind, if I said it wasn’t in our mind at all I’d be lying,” said Cullen of the imminent play-offs.
“We know that to go into those games we’ve got to go into it with good momentum. We had a disappointing result away at Oxford but now we’ve bounced back, scored six goals in two games with two clean sheets and two very good wins. We want to go into those play-off games with momentum and be the in-form side going into them. When they come, we’ll be more than ready.
“No preference [who Charlton play]. When it comes to the play-offs, it’s two games and whoever is the best team over the two games. We’re confident that we can be the best team whoever we play against. Whoever we get, bring them on.
“I think we’re confident. We’re all enjoying it and we all feel fresh. Game next week against Rochdale, we’ll go there and get another good performance another three points. Then looking forward to the play-off games with confidence and believing in ourselves. That changing room is full of belief, we’re looking forward to it.”
Cullen doubled Charlton’s lead just before the break at Priestfield, after Joe Aribo had fired them ahead midway through the first-period.
The goal was Cullen’s first in Charlton colours and the first since he scored whilst on loan at Bradford City against Milton Keynes in August 2016.
“I just think it was more instinctive, just to get a good connection and guide it past the keeper,” explained Cullen, after he capitalised on a spill from Gills stopper Tomas Holy.
“That’s something I’ve tried to bring into my game, keep getting into the box. I’m trying to add goals to my game. It’s been frustrating at times this season, things haven’t quite dropped to me or I haven’t quite been able to get the finish that I would have liked but the hard work has come off and I’ve got one today. Hopefully now I can kick on and another one or two other the next few games will be nice.
“We always knew it was going to be a tough game. Tough place to come and it was their last home game. We had to earn the right to play and win our battle. I think we did that and then our quality came out and showed.
“When you play against teams who are quite physical, you can’t get dragged into their game because that’s not our strength. We’ve come here and competed when we had to but then implemented our style of play on the game and that’s what has earned us three points.”