You would certainly be remiss to believe that Tom Lockyer hasn’t had a phenomenal season so far.
The recent Addicks recruit has been part of Charlton’s emphatic rise so far this season to sit just five points behind West Bromwich Albion at the summit of the Sky Bet Championship table.
This impressive run of form, in which he has contributed to four clean sheets in his 12 Championship appearances, has led to his first competitive caps for the Wales national team, with Welsh legend Ryan Giggs at the helm.
“In the summer, I had a chat with Giggsy. He said: ‘The main thing is I want you playing regularly, whether that’s in League One or the Championship. I’ve watched a lot of Championship games and there’s no reason why you can’t play in it if you have doubts about yourself'.
“Following this conversation, choosing a club was important in that it would be somewhere where I was going to play. He was true to his word because, finally, I got two competitive games!”
Playing on the international stage was certainly an ambition fulfilled for the former Bristol Rovers defender. Rubbing shoulders with the very best the game has to offer at present is something most of us can only aspire to achieve! However, this was certainly not without a needed adjustment period.
“I think with the Slovakia game, the occasion probably got the better of me, and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
“So when I got the chance to get the nod again, in the second game against Croatia, I told myself that I’m going to go and play my football how I want to, and that’s how I’m going to enjoy myself.
“I remember when Wales went to the European Championships in 2016. I think Jonny [Williams] was there, but I was in the fan park in Cardiff with two pints of beer! So to see myself involved now, not just in friendlies but in competitive fixtures as well is a massive honour.
“It’s what you dream about as a kid, and long may it continue!”
Shifting the attention away from international duty back to club matters, and the Welsh defender is 100 percent focused on helping the Addicks be as successful as possible this season.
With a Championship and international schedule intertwined matches can, sure enough, come thick and fast. Is our newly-capped international defender fighting fit?
“Yeah, as fit as ever! My knees a lot better now! It was plaguing me a bit, but you have to love the games.
“As much fun as training is, it’s the games that get you going. You love to test yourself.
“When you have three games in a week, whether it’s a good or bad result, it’s never too long until the next game to get yourself going again, which is brilliant!”
The eagerness instantly presents itself from Lockyer’s beaming face, especially as the Addicks come face to face with his former club’s rivals Bristol City on Wednesday evening. It’s far to say that he’s just a bit excited about this upcoming encounter:
“I’ve still got a lot of friends in Bristol, a lot of them City fans. I’ve been asked for a lot of tickets already!
“It’s basically home for me, so I’m looking forward to it. I know a few of their players as well so, like I said, it will be an occasion to enjoy!”
Watch tonight's game LIVE on Valley Pass in the UK and abroad.
The Addicks travel to Ashton Gate just a single solitary point ahead of the Robins, so it’s surely heating up to be a tasteful clash not just for Tom Lockyer, but for Addicks fans too!
Watch Lockyer's interview on Valley Pass below. Click here to purchase Valley Pass.
Article by Dean Taylor
Our next home game against Preston North End is our annual Kids For A Quid game. Bring a young Addick to their first game by clicking here.
