Addicks in-form striker is looking forward to Sunday's clash with second placed Preston North End at The Valley.
On the back of scoring 23 goals in the National League, Macauley Bonne signed for the Addicks in the summer and has found his feet in recent weeks netting five times in his last six games for the club.
He said: “It was massive going from the Conference to the Championship. I knew it’d be a big step up and shock to the system and it was. The first few months were really tough for me but I feel like now I’m finding my feet.
“The training and intensity was tough. Going from playing every week to only being on the bench or not in the squad some weeks was difficult but I knew I had to bide my time and wait for my chance which I’m getting now and taking well.”
The Addicks sit in ninth position in the Sky Bet Championship, knowing that a win this weekend will take the team to 25 points, level with visitors Preston. Bonne believes that both teams’ strong start to the season is no fluke.
“We knew that we’d do well, we expected nothing less. The way that we train, the intensity is high and the gaffer gets the best out of everyone in training and as you can see we take it into games.
“Preston have done well too, people didn’t expect it but you look at us at West Brom, it’s down to 22 players on the pitch and the winner takes all. We will go and do the best we can and hopefully come away with the three points.”
With the absence of Lyle Taylor, due to injury, Bonne has filled in but is looking forward to the return of his possible strike partner.
“I haven’t played with him yet but training wise he loves the attention around him, he likes people to know he’s about. He loves it here and everyone loves him here. If you can do that at the club and be the big dog, it's great. I enjoy training with him and I can’t wait to play with him.” Bonne explained.
“There’s similarities between us but I’m my own player. I don’t compare myself to anyone, I’m trying to be Macaulay Bonne and not follow anyone's path. I want to make my own name in football, I want to be me.”
Playing in front of a sold out away end at West Brom, Bonne was full of praise for the Charlton faithful and explains how he is not the only member of his family that has been impressed with the support this season.
“I relish the fan base here. It’s mental. My parents, my dad, my misses, my little brothers come to the games and they say the fans are like nothing they’ve ever seen - they’re at it all game. My family sit in the family area but they’re dying to get in the Covered End! I tell them they can’t.
“Even away at West Brom, my missus was standing on the chair in the away end and chanting with the away fans all game!”
Article by Nick Emms
