Deji Oshilaja bagged his first Charlton goal to help the Addicks towards victory at Rochdale on Saturday, but he insisted the clean sheet was far more important to him than getting on the scoresheet.
The defender popped up to score his side’s second in the 2-0 win at the Crown Oil Arena and, speaking exclusively to Valley Pass Live as he came off the pitch, he reflected on how much it meant to his team to keep that clean sheet away from home.
“I think we’ve been hard done by in the last couple of weeks,” he explained.
“So to get a goal was great, but getting the clean sheet was the most important – we’re buzzing about that one.”
“We’ve got players that can get us goals, but we’re not keeping as many clean sheets as we’d like to,” added Oshilaja.
“Hopefully we can build on that one going into Saturday.”
The south-Londoner believes that the win at Rochdale could be the start of something for the Addicks, with promotion still remaining the number one aim come May.
“The boys knew that if we’re going to have any chance of competing for promotion, we’re going to have to go on a run, and that would have to start [against Rochdale],” he said.
“Obviously, the boys started well by getting that win. Now it’s important to train hard during the week. Gillingham will be a tough, physical game so we have to be ready for that.
“Winning breeds momentum and if we continue doing that, we can go on a good run. We’re good enough players to do that so we have to believe in ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Oshilaja also discussed his return to the side, having had to wait for his opportunity in the starting XI having returned from an injury he suffered at the start of the season.
“Before I got injured, I felt like I was doing well,” he said.
“I had to be patient, but I’ve come back and I feel like I’m performing well. My job is to help clean sheets to help the team win and as long as I’m doing that, I’m more than happy.”
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