Corey Blackett-Taylor believes Saturday’s match against Peterborough United will be a good barometer of where Charlton are at.
Darren Ferguson’s Posh side earned a top-six finish last term and kicked off the 2023/24 campaign with a 1-0 triumph at newly-relegated Reading last weekend.
“Saturday is a big game for us because we want to see where we are at against these teams,” explained Blackett-Taylor. “I always want to challenge myself against these kinds of teams and, if we’re going to be up where we want to be, we need to be beating these teams.”
The 25-year-old was electric in the Addicks’ season-opener against Leyton Orient, providing the assist for George Dobson’s match-winning moment at The Valley.
“It was great to start with a win,” he said. “On a personal note, I felt it was a good performance in what was my first league game back since March when I got injured. I felt I played well, especially in the first half, and I managed to get at the full-back quite a lot and had a big role in the goal. It couldn't have gone any better.
“I played with Terell [Thomas] on the left side, the ball came out to him and I just tried to get as wide as possible. I had a quick glance and saw the distance between me and the full-back, and as soon as I got the ball I just thought I was going to attack him.
“Once I got past, I had a glance up into the box and saw Dobbo and Alfie [May]’s run. I knew I had to put the ball low and hard into that area and luckily one of them got onto the end of it.
“For me the buzz off an assist is the same as a goal. Anytime I am on the pitch I know what my role is and that is to get a goal or an assist. Whatever helps the team is my job - goal or an assist, it’s all the same to me.”
Asked how he finds his role as a wing-back in Dean Holden’s 3-5-2 formation, Blackett-Taylor said: “There are differences but for me the objective is still the same. The gaffer gives me the license to get the ball and do what I do. As long as I do that when I’m on the pitch and I’m helping the team, it doesn’t really matter where I’m playing.”
Supporters outside of the UK and Ireland can watch every kick of this weekend’s game against Peterborough live on CharltonTV. Click here to purchase your match pass.
Meanwhile, fans in the UK and Ireland can enjoy live audio commentary from the Weston Homes Stadium. Click here to get your audio pass.
(Transcription by Alex Forrest)
