Josh Cullen believes Charlton are continuing to grow in confidence following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with league-leaders West Bromwich Albion.
The midfielder, on loan from West Ham United, was the hero as he stepped up to face the pressure and dispatch a 94th-minute penalty to earn a thoroughly-deserved point at The Hawthorns.
Speaking after netting his second goal for the Addicks, Cullen insisted that his injury-ravaged side’s recent results against some of the Championship’s much-fancied teams can give them plenty of reason to be confident.
“On paper, playing Derby and then Bristol City and West Brom away, to get four points as a newly-promoted side is a decent return,” he explained.
“I think it says a lot about the group we are that we’re a little disappointed with not getting more out of this week. But every game we play against these sides that we expect to be up there or thereabouts in the play-offs or automatics, and we’re matching them, that’s growing our confidence.
“We’re just looking forward to next week now and being at home. Our home form is going to be key. Hopefully, we’ll get three points [against Preston].”
With usual penalty-taker Lyle Taylor out of action, the responsibility from 12 yards has fallen on the shoulders of Republic of Ireland international Cullen and it is exactly the kind of pressure he thrives on.
“It’s football,” he said.
“They are the moments that you are in the game for. I enjoy being under that little bit of pressure. It was nice to be able to put it away and make sure we got what we deserved at the least, which was a point.”
Cullen continued: “It was something that we’d decided as a team - when we do our set-pieces the day before the game, I was first to take the penalties. Fortunately, one came along and I could put it away.
“I hadn’t watched the keeper, where he usually goes or anything like that. I just went on instinct. You pick your spot. That was where I picked and it worked out OK.”
