Guy Luzon declared Johann Berg Gudmundsson the David Beckham of the Championship as his fine free kick capped off a 3-0 win at Blackpool for Charlton on Tuesday night.

 

Chris Eagles had edged the Addicks ahead, on a shocking playing surface, just after the half hour, bundling home after Gudmundsson’s shot from a Simon Church cross was fumbled by home goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

 

It was Church who notched the second from eight yards just past the hour, before Gudmundsson’s late free kick added the cherry atop the cake for the visitors in the last knockings of the match.

 

And Luzon was delighted that the bit of extra quality shone through in a game dictated by the pudding of a Bloomfield Road Pitch.

 

“Johann is like the David Beckham of the Championship,” he beamed.

 

“Every set piece within 18-20 metres he knows how to score, its a real weapon for us.”

 

“I’m pleased. We knew before we arrived here that on this pitch it’s very difficult to play football. I like to play football on the ground, but on this pitch you can not do it.  

 

“We knew it would be a game that we would have to take with commitment, be aggressive, be organised on second balls and to be sharp on the counter attack. I’m content that we did it well.

 

“The players made it easy because they worked very hard. They gave it everything in every fight, in every duel, in every tackle on the pitch and they deserved to win.

 

”You cannot play football on this pitch. I don’t think this kind of pitch is for the level of the Championship. Next year they will need to improve the pitch.

 

”Alou Diarra is a very good player and a very good professional with a  lot of quality and we knew today there would be a lot of longs balls and he’s very strong with his head. 

 

“He knew how to hold in the middle and he helped us.”

 

The game had been a dour, scrappy affair before Charlton edged ahead and the Israeli head coach accepted that it was important for his side to get their noses in front.

 

“On this kind of pitch, in this kind of game it’s very important (to score the first goal),” he admitted.

 

“When you concede one goal its very difficult to come back because the conditions don’t allow you to be organised in attack and make a combination attack. 

 

“It was very important to score the first goal and continue to work and concentrate at set pieces because in this kind of game you can concede a goal from a throw in or a set piece.”

 

It was Charlton’s sixth win in eight games but Luzon remained humble when asked why the side’s form had enjoyed such a lift.

 

“I don’t know whats changed,” he said. 

 

“I don’t like to speak about myself, about my work. 

 

“I try to do my best, and give the players good advice and they did it well.

 

“First we came back to getting a clean sheet and scoring three goals like we did two or three games ago. I’m very pleased and satisfied.

 

“When you are organised and concentrate, when you are ready for the game, you deserve to win. 

 

“In the last month, every game we’ve come with passion and spirit, we come positive. We come in a good mood to play football. When you do all these things you deserve to win points.

 

“Six wins in eight matches but its now not important what we’ve done before. 

 

“We need to look forward to the next game on Saturday. We need to win that.”

 

The former Standard Liege chief made a few changes to his starting line-up, notably with Tal Ben Haim and Igor Vetokele not even travelling, but laid to rest any fears that injury had hampered the pair.

 

“I rotated a little bit because we need to be fresh every game, it’s not easy. 

 

“This period is very tough with all the games. We’ll also rotate against Reading on Saturday.”

 

 

Finally, Luzon was delighted he was able to send the few hundred visiting fans home happy after a mammoth journey on a Tuesday night.

 

“We are happy for us and for the fans because it was a long journey here. It was our target to come back to London happy, I’m sure that the fans are happy and that we’re happy.”