Talal El Karkouri's late winner against Blackburn last night saw Charlton move off the bottom of the Premiership table but the club's new manager Les Reed has hailed Andy Reid for the upturn in the club's fortunes.
Since overcoming injury problems earlier in the season, Republic of Ireland international Reid has proved a key component of the Charlton team, scoring twice in his last three games and producing another inspirational performance at The Valley last night.
Reid now hopes to maintain that momentum ahead of this weekend's clash with his former club Tottenham. The Dubliner left White Hart Lane earlier this year after an unsuccessful spell but new manager Reed is adamant his rejuvenated midfielder is playing with new-found confidence.
"It is a big game for all of us this weekend but particularly for Andy and I can tell you he ran his socks off against Blackburn and was absolutely shattered at the end," he said.
"I think that Andy is trying to show everybody, not only Tottenham, what a creative footballer he is and that he also works hard and that he'll tackle and challenge people. He's been our best player for three or four games now and he more than anybody will be looking forward to showing Spurs what he can do."
Reid had joined Tottenham from Nottingham Forest in a £4 million move last New Year's Eve but failed to make his mark at a club already top-heavy with midfielders. Ian Dowie, until recently the Charlton manager, recognised Reid's talents and stumped up £3 million to take him across the Thames.
"We've managed to turn him into something different and he has a point to prove," Reed said. "I didn't think he would ever be a wide man flying down the wing and getting crosses in. Perhaps Spurs had people in that position to do that and having bought him as a wide man they didn't feel he was delivering.
"He has played on the left for Ireland as well in a 4-4-2 line-up but in their last game he played in the centre and delivered the kind of performance we want from him here. So perhaps it will be a big benefit for the Irish as well."
Additional reporting: PA
