Tuesday night’s FA Cup game Oxford United was your classic knockout tie and, overall, we have to be pleased just to be in the competition still.

A lot was made of the pitch going into the game and, let’s be fair, despite the work of the ground staff, it is not really helping us but we can’t use that as an excuse.

The first half wasn’t too great from the boys, but personally it was nice to get some minutes in the second half, come on, do well and set up a goal. It was ideal.

The gaffer said to me on the sidelines to come on, get wide, get your crosses in and, if I got a chance, then to let one of them go. I think I did that pretty well.

Of course, I was watching from the bench in the first half and to come in 2-0 down to a side two divisions below you just isn’t good enough.

I can’t repeat some of the stuff the gaffer said to us at half-time, but he wasn’t very happy!

We knew it wasn’t good enough, everyone knew it. The players and the fans did too.

You don’t want to let yourselves down. You go out there to play for the shirt, play for yourselves and do yourself justice.

That was the main thing he said and I think the boys did that second half and did well.

The pitch was better than against Sheffield Wednesday. I came on in that game and it was unbelievable.

It was better against Oxford, but still not ideal. We want to get the ball down, try and play and make one-twos, but sometimes it is not possible at the moment.

We have to go a little bit longer and in the first half on Tuesday we didn’t do that in the right areas.

Looking ahead to this Saturday’s Championship trip to Middlesbrough, I’d like to think I have a chance of starting, but anything could happen.

If not then hopefully I make the bench and get a little cameo performance like on Tuesday.

I just want as many games under my belt as possible, to get as fit as I can and hopefully play for Charlton.

Then it is Oxford again and I’m really pleased we just have the chance to play another game in the FA Cup.

I used to watch it when I was young just like all the boys did.

You’d love a little run and play a Manchester United, a Liverpool, a Chelsea or anyone like that. The return leg is important first of all and we have to go to Oxford and beat them.