REACTION | Phillips delighted after keeping 'massive' clean sheet

George Jones reports

Academy graduate Dillon Phillips was delighted after keeping a ‘massive’ clean sheet in Charlton’s Boxing Day victory at Milton Keynes Dons.

The stopper, who has played in our last eight first-team matches, was brilliantly protected at Stadium MK by his back four, who restricted the Dons to just three efforts on target.

And afterwards Phillips applauded his teammates’ commitment as the Addicks bounced back from successive defeats.

“We wanted to shut up shop at the back and look defensively solid, which we did,” said the 21-year-old. “When our chance arrived, we took it and we limited them to next to nothing.

“The back four and the whole team – because defending starts at the top of the pitch – were brilliant and we were really pleased with the result.

“The clean sheet was massive as well because in our last two games we have conceded five goals. They were soft goals to concede too.”

He continued: “MK Dons put a few balls across the box and people put their bodies on the line by throwing themselves in the way of a couple of shots.

“That’s what you want to see. We have got a great bunch of lads in the changing room and we’ll do that for each other.”

The victory was the perfect response to Wednesday’s local derby defeat against Millwall. Phillips says that bouncing back was their intention as soon the full-time whistle sounded at The Den. 

He said: “Everyone was gutted but as soon as that final whistle went on Wednesday, we couldn’t change that result and we had to look forward to this game.

“You can’t mope around. We wanted to win, like everyone did, and we were gutted. We couldn’t wait to get out there at MK Dons and play for the three points. We got them, so happy days.”

Phillips is enjoying an extended run in the side due to injury to Declan Rudd and he wants to make the most of his chance.   

He said: “You don’t really want to be playing because someone is injured but the opportunity has come and I’m not going to turn it down at all.

“The Manager has made it clear that he thinks Dec is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, which I totally agree with, so I’m glad that he’s happy to trust me at the moment and I feel like I have the backing of the team as well.”