Charlton Athletic's Adebayo Azeez writes for the KM Group
It may have taken a couple more months than seemed likely but I
finally made my debut for Charlton last weekend.
It was a great occasion for me, although it was also bittersweet
because we were knocked out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield Town.
It looked like I was going to play for the first time in early
November when we were leading Cardiff City 5-2 in the closing
stages. Then they scored, so the manager Chris Powell waited and
then they scored again, so he told me to sit back down on the bench
as we clung on.
More waiting was needed on Saturday – it felt like the ball took
an age to go out of play while I was standing by the touchline. I
also thought it was going to be another one of those days when we
went down to 10 men when Dorian Dervite was sent off.
Johnnie Jackson was next to me and about to come on as well,
though, and he was encouraging me beforehand, along with the
manager.
I didn’t know that I was on the bench until an hour and a half
before the game, so it was good feeling to first get in the squad
but it was surpassed by coming on and playing. I was just pleased
and thankful to get the opportunity.
Of course, the result wasn’t what we wanted because you always
want to please the fans and the gaffer and when you don’t do that,
it’s disappointing.
But now we have to move on to the next fixture and not get too
down because there are some big games ahead for us, starting with
Blackpool at home on Saturday. We need to push up the league, so
everyone’s focused on that.
I hope to stay involved and if I keep training the way I do and
carry on doing the extra work, then who knows.
I’ve gone from playing for the under-18s last season to playing
for England Youth, going on loan to Wycombe Wanderers and now
making my Charlton debut, so I just want to keep progressing.
The youngsters at the club are a tight-knit group, and
everyone’s pleased for
me. A lot of us will be supporting the under-18s when they take on
Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup at The Valley next Wednesday night.
That shows the great spirit that there is in the dressing
room.
10/01/13
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