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Charlton Athletic's Scott Wagstaff writes for the KM Group

Scott Wagstaff
Scott Wagstaff

I think the lads know how sensitive I still am about my ‘goal that never was’ in the opening match of the season against AFC Bournemouth, when Dale Stephens was credited with my 25-yard volley!

That can be the only reason that they were trying to claim that my goal last Saturday against Leyton Orient was an own goal.

They don’t know what they are talking about. I definitely converted Rhoys Wiggins’ cross and it was good to get back on the scoresheet. That’s a couple of goals and a few assists in my last five games, and it’s great to be back involved in the first-team squad on a regular basis.

It was fitting that the goal came against Orient, although the fact it was in the seventh minute was a bit of a coincidence.

Fans might recall that it was in the seventh minute that I was substituted when we played Orient at Brisbane Road on New Year’s Eve, when I was sacrificed to allow goalkeeper John Sullivan to come on after Ben Hamer had been sent off.

I had only just returned to the team because Danny Green was suspended, so it was hard to take. But you have to respect the manager’s decision and work hard in training to change his mind.

To make such an impact in the rematch was therefore great, and was the perfect way for me to celebrate my 22nd birthday.

Fans keep asking me if we will go up as champions, but my immediate response is that we first have to make sure that we go up. Having been top of the table for six-and-a-half-months, I’m sure that not winning the league would be a disappointment in some people’s eyes, but our target at the start of the season was to gain promotion, and that remains true almost eight months later. Once that’s achieved, we can start thinking about the title.

We’re six points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United with six games remaining, but there are six points up for grabs in the space of three days over Easter, so things can change very quickly.

We’re going to Oldham in a bid to continue our fine away form this season and a maximum return from the Oldham and Walsall matches would be brilliant.

For now, though, it’s the old one game at a time approach. It’s worked for us so far, so why bother changing now?

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