‘Hopefully I can show Charlton this is the place I want to be’ – Tennai Watson on wanting SE7 stay

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Tennai Watson believes he has not had a real opportunity to show what he can do for Charlton Athletic.

However, the former Reading defender is hoping his recent return to the first-team fold  will show the Addicks – and in particular manager Nathan Jones – where he wants his long-term future to be.

The versatile full-back, who can also operate at centre-back or wing-back, has come into the side in the two most recent outings after Josh Edwards’ groin injury forced Thierry Small over to left wing-back.

Watson joined Charlton on a free transfer on a two-year deal in September 2023, rejecting new terms at Milton Keynes, and is set to be out of contract this summer.

“All I can do is control the controllables,” Watson told the South London Press when asked about his future. “I’m by no means saying that I haven’t had a chance – I have played during my time here. But to show what I can fully do, that’s down to me and no-one else.

“I’m taking it game by game and I don’t like to overthink about the future. I’m trying to enjoy this time, my team-mates and see what lies ahead.

“Hopefully I can show the club that here is where I want to be. I’ve loved every minute of it – the ups and the downs. It’s a brilliant club to be around and see how it’s evolved.

“You never stop learning as a player, but you can feel the atmosphere this year of what we have built and what we’re trying to achieve.

“It’s partly out of my control. I just do what I can do and play as well as I can.”

Watson had only played seven times in League One this season before starting back-to-back games in the third tier against Wigan and Peterborough.

He picked up a serious hamstring injury just 14 games into the campaign – coming off after four minutes in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham in February – and was out for the next four months.

“I knew straight away it wasn’t going to be a small one,” said the former AFC Wimbledon loanee.

“It was really frustrating and a very tough period to go through.

“The timing of it was bad because I felt as though I was going to get a string of games.

“I got injured at the back end of last season too.

“Going through the process of being injured – and the work you go through to get back – is an emotional rollercoaster. There were a lot of different emotions that were going through my head.

“To pick it up at the start of the season is never great but, for me personally, there was underlying frustration because I hadn’t shown exactly what I could do.

“It was an opportunity for me to step into a team doing well and picking up momentum – the gaffer had been with us for a little while and we had built that style of play.

“The stage was set for me to do well – and that happened.

“It’s something you have to get your head around quickly and move on. It spurred me on to get back as quickly as I could to help the team.”

Watson’s start against Wigan saw him notch up half-a-century of appearances for the South Londoners.

He featured 40 times last season in a squad that only clicked into gear come February after three managerial changes as Dean Holden and Michael Appleton were sacked before Jones’ arrival.

Watson said: “There are games I have done well in and times I have done well, but it’s been a bit up and down from my perspective since I have been here.

“Last season wasn’t the greatest with how it started.

“Playing with freedom, having a close-knit group and momentum behind you, were things that were added this year.”

The Addicks are fourth in the table with eight games left to go this season.

After their 3-0 defeat at Peterborough on Saturday – and with Wrexham beating Stockport – the gap is eight points to the top two.
Charlton’s promotion destiny looks set to take place in the lottery of the play-offs.

Watson is no stranger at trying to get out of the third tier via the play-offs, having played for Milton Keynes as they suffered defeat to Wycombe in the 2021-22 season.

“It’s what we’re cultivating now – the preparation has already started,” said Watson on what needs to happen should the Addicks miss out on an automatic spot.

“You have a little eye on the future, knowing that each game we’re knocking down and trying to get three points is building momentum and confidence.

“The mental side is massive. You can’t get too high or too low. We go into every game with full throttle.”

MAIN PICTURE: KYLE ANDREWS