Charlton star Josh Magennis says he takes pleasure in proving people wrong.

The Addicks striker has started the season in blistering form, scoring four goals in seven league games. His latest strike came in the 1-1 draw with Bury on Saturday.

The Charlton hierarchy were criticised by fans for not bringing in a prolific striker over the summer to compete with Magennis.

The Northern Ireland forward has never scored 20-plus goals in a season, however, that will change if his purple patch continues.

He told News Shopper: “I don’t even know if I had any doubters. If people thought the club should have brought in a 20-goal-a-season striker, then that’s up to them - football is a game full of opinions.

“But from the career path I’ve had, I’ve always had people question everything and I take pleasure in proving people wrong and hopefully this season, not only do I get 15, 20 goals but other players do as well.

“We’ve got a lot of young players who are itching to show us what they can do and especially the club trying to get back to the Championship.

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“So it’s pressure I’ve just got to accept. I can just do my best in 90 minutes, and hopefully that’s enough.”

Ex-Charlton manager Russell Slade signed Magennis from Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee last summer.

He scored 10 goals in his debut season at the Valley, and was the first-choice number nine under Slade’s successor, Karl Robinson.

The Addicks boss underlined his trust in Magennis after allowing strikers Tony Watt and Lee Novak to leave the club, while loaning out Nicky Ajose and Igor Vetokele.

And Magennis, who is competing with Rangers loanee Joe Dodoo for a starting berth, signed a new contract last month.

News Shopper:

Joe Dodoo | Picture: Benjamin Peters Photography

He added: “I had a long conversation with the gaffer. We started the season with four strikers and it’s gone down to two with Joe and I.

“And there was always that talk if we were going to bring in another striker or not. But he [Robinson] made it clear that if myself and everyone else has that jersey then it’s up to us to keep our spots.

“And if you don’t, especially now with Ben Reeves and Mark Marshall coming back, he’s made it clear that if you’re not up to par then he will rotate. It puts pressure on you but you've just got to rise to the occasion.

“It’s your job to go on and do well. For me as a striker, scoring goals is probably the best way to show him he’s made the right choice and this season has started well and I’m fully enjoying it.”