Alfie Doughty celebrated his 20th birthday with a stand-out performance in Charlton's dramatic 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
The academy graduate started the game on the left of midfield and really thrived when he was moved to left wing back in a 3-5-2 formation just before the half hour mark.
Doughty's combination of speed and trickery caused QPR no end of problems with much of the Addicks most dangerous attacks involving the youngster.
Speaking after the game a smiling Doughty explained his delight at Naby Sarr's stoppage time equaliser: "We are definitely buzzing. I think we’ve dug deep and I feel like we could have actually got more from the game. Everyone believes that we should have actually come away with three points. But apart from that we can’t really fault the fact that we dug deep and in the end we ended up getting a draw which is better than we would have."
It has been quite a few months for Doughty, who in October was still on loan at National League Bromley. Since returning from that loan because of the Charlton injury crisis, he has put in very impressive performances in his first taste of Championship football.
He said: "I’m just grateful of every opportunity I get to be honest. I wasn’t actually expecting to start but I think this is my sixth game now. It was a bit of a page turner if I’m honest with you and I wasn’t expecting it to come so soon. But I’m happy with my performances at the moment. And I just want to keep going to the best of my ability."
Doughty has been in the Addicks academy, supported by Valley Gold, since U9s. Click here to join Valley Gold.
Since his return from loan he has played left back, left wing back, left of a diamond midfield, left midfield, left wing and right wing but he insists he is happy wherever Lee Bowyer selects him: "I’ll just play anywhere to be honest with you. I mean I like the whole of the left side. I’ll play left back, I’ll play left wing-back or left wing. I played all three positions a lot recently. So I think, wherever they put me I’ll do my best and at the end of the day I don’t really mind where I play."
For the moment he's pleased to be learning under the watchful eye of Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson.
He explained: "I just want to try and keep getting better really. Whatever happens over the Christmas period I will just keep playing my football and doing my best and hopefully the gaffer sees that.
"Everything they [Bowyer and Jackson] tell you, you just have to listen to because of what they have been through and because they have played at the highest level. Whatever they tell us, you can tell it just buzzes through the changing room. I’m just trying to listen to them and get as much information as I can really."
For now though Doughty is focused on Charlton's Boxing Day fixture at home to Bristol City: “I think, especially at home, that the place is going to be buzzing and were hoping to just try and get back onto a winning streak again really. “
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Watch Doughty's full interview on Valley Pass.