Chris Eagles believes if the current group of Charlton players started the season together they would be challenging for promotion.

The attacker made the claim after the Addicks recorded their sixth win in eight matches with a 3-0 victory at Blackpool last night.

Eagles, who bizarrely scored for Blackpool in the reverse fixture last December, set the visitors on their way before Simon Church and Johan Gudmundsson completed the scoring.

The forward says he has been impressed by his team-mates since joining last month and stated if the campaign began now they would be among the league’s frontrunners.

“It is just a shame we didn’t start the season altogether,” Eagles told News Shopper.

“Because if we were sat here eight games in, I reckon we’d be top of the league now.

“But it’s not, there’s nine games left and we’re just going to get as many points as we can to close the gap between the play-offs.

“The team seem to be an unselfish bunch they want to work for each other and we can play ugly football as well as good looking football and that’s the key we can adjust to each game.”

Eagles’ goal last night was his second for the club and he made no secret afterwards of how much he is enjoying working with Guy Luzon.

“I like the gaffer because there’s no limit to him,” he said.

“He wants to win everything and that’s the way I got brought up and I like that.”

Luzon’s winning mentality even prompted Eagles to liken him to some of the other successful managers he has played under.

“He reminds me of the managers I’ve worked under before like Sir Alex Ferguson and Owen Coyle,” the 29-year-old added.

“He wants to win and there’s no excuses and I like that.

“And it’s true there’s no reason why you can’t win every game.

“Even after a win today he just says: ‘Right, it’s our job we’re supposed to win.’

“There’s no getting carried away and I think that’s good.

“I like him as a person and as a manager.”

Having been involved at rock bottom Blackpool earlier on this season, Eagles admitted the club’s plight is sad to see but added the Addicks are now his main priority.

“It is not a nice position Blackpool are in but I’m a Charlton player now and that is all I worry about,” Eagles explained.

“There’s quite a negative environment around Blackpool which is nothing to do with the players, I believe it is higher than that.

“But I’m just concentrating on Charlton and it’s nothing to do with me no more.”

The former Burnley man was substituted just past the hour for Yoni Buyens after hurting his ankle, but is hoping to be fit for Saturday’s match against Reading.

“On a personal level I’ve been doing a lot of fitness and stuff like that and today was my first start and it was brilliant to get that,” Eagles added.

“I’ve hurt my ankle so I hope it will be OK for Saturday.”

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