After wrapping up the festive period, and 2018, it was a happy press room when Reds Head Coach discussed victory number three in succession.
A third consecutive League One victory left Stendel in a naturally upbeat mood, and after handing out drinks to the awaiting members of the press he gave his thoughts on yet another success.
“I am very happy today," he exclaimed.
"It is not too easy to play just a short time after our last game. It was a good performance against a good Charlton side.
"We had the feeling of being in control of the game. I was very calm on the side in the first half, because I was very happy with what my team was doing.
“In the end it was hard work and a fight against a good team who have played very well in the last weeks. Charlton didn’t create really big chances but, after 2-1, it was very close.
"They played a lot of long balls and it was not easy to defend against but we did it. We deserved to win and we were the better team. It is good to win the last three games of the year and we go with a lot of confidence into 2019."
The Reds' goals against Charlton were both out of the top drawer, with Mamadou Thiam's later voted 'Goal of the Day' on Sky Sports News.
His rocket backed up a fabulous team move that opened the scoring, Brad Potts smashing home from the edge of the box after a flowing counter attack.
Stendel was enthused with the goals, telling us: “Both goals came from very good moves from the team. Pottsy and Mama have needed to be more ruthless in front of goal and I am glad that they both scored. Pottsy’s goal was a very good team goal and Mama’s strike it is a fantastic rocket, I was right behind it and it was a brilliant goal!”
Stendel gave an update on the health of his players having been without top-scorer, Kieffer Moore for the last two matches and then seeing Dani Pinillos hobble his way through the fina moments on Saturday.
“Kieffer has been sick since Boxing Day morning," he told us.
"On Friday, we tested him in training and he stopped because he had pain in his back. He saw a chiropractor and maybe he can play at Luton but we won't take a risk now, because we will need him in the rest of the season, he's a very important player for us.”
