Why hat trick hero Charles felt Reading victory had been coming

Hat trick hero Dion Charles hopes Wanderers’ emphatic win against Reading can “kickstart” their season.

The Northern Irish international kept his cool twice from the penalty spot and also produced a clever finish through the legs of David Button.

“That has been coming,” Charles insisted. “It has been a difficult start for us but this past week, we have sat down and spoke about what we think has been wrong.

“There has been a feel-good factor around the place between the players and the staff, we knew that result was coming. Hopefully, that kickstarts us on the road to a successful season.

“First 10 minutes, we put them on the back foot, asked them questions, made them defend and it felt a lot more like the Bolton Wanderers I am used to playing for.

“We have been below par this season but, for me, I say it all the time, if I get the chances I will prove people wrong and score goals."

Charles started up front alongside Victor Adeboyejo and the pair caused Reading plenty of problems.

“I love playing with any of the strikers, they are a brilliant group of strikers,” he added. “Whoever is called upon, they will do the job.

“We create the partnerships every day in training so whoever is selected, they are more than capable of putting in those performances.”

The forward was also full of praise for George Johnston, who came back into the backline alongside Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal.

“Jonno was incredible today, he blocked everything and won all of his challenges,” he continued.

“That set the tone for us and gave the crowd a boost. That made them realise we were at it today.

“It felt a lot more like last season – free flowing, attacking football, creating chances, putting the ball in the box and making carnage. If you put balls into the box, every one of the strikers will thrive off that.”

Taking two penalties in the same game is rare, and Charles admitted there were some mind games going on between him and Button.

“I actually said to the keeper, ‘Where do you want me to go?’ He said with the first one I was going down the middle so I said, ‘OK I’ll go there’,” he grinned.

“Then I asked him, ‘I have gone down the middle like you told me to and I’ve put it through your legs. Where do you want this one to go, I’ll make it easier for you!’

"It is brilliant to get the hat trick and a brilliant performance for us.”

It was Charles’ second hat trick for the Whites and his collection of match balls is starting to add up. “The missus will be fuming now,” he joked.

The 28-year-old has now netted five goals in eight appearances since the start of the campaign, also getting on the scoresheet against Leyton Orient and Shrewsbury.