Cause for optimism at The Valley

[Getty Images] You could sense it. That renewed optimism, a classic pre-season cliche, maybe, but at The Valley there was a buzz. A hum in the sunshine from those - young, and old - giddy with excitement. This south-east London stadium was alive with anticipation before the game - both sets of fans hoping for better than last season. More play-off places; more hope. Twenty years ago Charlton were embarking on their most recent Premier League campaign. The road back to within any kind of range of it has been a long one - but Nathan Jones has a tenacious team that reinforced his belief that they are now better equipped with a gutsy and determined home win in front of a home crowd that by full-time had reached fever pitch. Tyreece Campbell's winning goal exemplified endeavour. A purposeful run by Miles Leaburn eventually led to Campbell firing home the kind of left-footed shot that could not have been struck any sweeter. It was a dazzling moment, in a game where clear openings were limited to just the actual goals themselves. Campbell has been linked with a move away. Jones told me after the game he wants to keep the forward and it might be the case that Campbell can only get better. He and Karlan Grant, along with Sonny Carey, all looked a threat and Charlton looked better and better as the game went on. Jones was rightly thrilled with his side's high-octane second-half turnaround. That pre-match hum around the stadium had gotten a little louder as fans spilled out onto the Floyd Road at full-time. Latest Charlton Athletic news, analysis and fan views