James Tarkowski thinks Brentford can use their opening day point as a building block in the new Sky Bet Championship season.
Igor Vetokele gave The Addicks the lead midway through the second-half heading home from close range but The Bees grabbed a point as Tommy Smith scored on his debut with five minutes remaining.
The Bees could have grabbed all three points in injury time as Alan Judge struck the bar with a free-kick and then Smith fired over with almost the last kick of the game.
Speaking to Bees Player after the game defender James Tarkowski said it was important that The Bees got something from their opening game against an experienced Championship side.
Even though it is only one game James thinks the point will give The Bees something to build on as they go into a very busy run of five games in 18 days.
“We got a point on the board in our first game in the Championship so we can’t be too disappointed even though you always want the three,” said James.
“They are a decent side and have been in the Championship for a few years now.
“They are looking to do as well as us and get up the table and it was a close fought game.
“We have got a point on the board and we are undefeated in one.
“It sounds like nothing but you can build on that definitely.
“There are tougher games and better teams out there but we have got a point on the board and we have to build on that.
“It is an intense period.
“We have got the Capital One Cup game on Tuesday and then we have got three league games in seven days.
“That is why you play football though to play games and we are looking to do well in all three of them.”
In front of the largest opening day crowd at Griffin Park for 40 years The Bees started brightly and created a number of good openings in the early stages of the game.
However as the game went on Charlton came more into the match before taking the lead midway through the second-half.
They had a glorious chance to make it two but Callum Harriot hit the bar from 25 yards with the goal gaping before Smith did grab an equaliser late on.
Despite needing a late goal to secure their point James felt there was a belief in The Bees dressing room that they should have taken all three points from the game.
“The boys are slightly disappointed,” said James.
“I thought we played ok in the first-half but we started the second-half very slowly and we gave them a chance.
“They got the goal and from then we were chasing the game.
“It showed good character to come back and get the draw but you always want the three points.
“We are a bit disappointed we didn’t get all three.
“I thought we played ok first-half without making too many chances.
“We moved the ball alright and they had the chance off our corner kick where they caught us out.
“I think we dominated the game quite a lot but the chances that they got were good chances.
“David Button pulled us out of it once or twice: he made a great save second-half from the header.
“When you come to this level those little mistakes you make are going to be punished.
“I thought we controlled the first-half quite well but we came out second-half quite slowly.
“That gave them the advantage and they were on the front foot creating chances and then they got the goal and we were chasing it.”
James was one of five members of Brentford’s starting XI to be making their second tier debut on Saturday.
Alongside James, Jake Bidwell, Moses Odubajo, Andre Gray and Stuart Dallas were all making their Championship bows against Charlton Athletic.
James felt he and his teammates, as well as the fans, learnt a lot about the quality of the Championship from the opening day.
Despite the step-up in division James thinks it is still very important that Brentford try and play in the style that was so successful last season, something they didn’t do at times against The Addicks.
“The standard is better going up a league and the players are better as clubs have better finances,” said James.
“It was what I expected when I joined Brentford in the first place and I am happy to be here.
“The fans are great for us and I am sure that they are looking forward to seeing some big teams come down here to play against us.
“We are going to some big stadiums as well and hopefully we can put on a good show for them and get the three points.
“We will always try to play the same whether we are playing Manchester United or a non-league team.
“We always want to play out from the back, keep possession and tire teams out.
“I thought we did that well today but there were short periods where we went a bit too long and that’s not how we do it.
“Chasing the game you want to get the ball in the back of the net and even though the goal came from a long-ball I thought we deviated from our game plan a little bit.”