Championship Exclusive: Target Talk with Darren Ambrose

My job is a fascinating one, full of surprise.

Neal Thornley, our Coverage Director gave me another surprise. After interviewing Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Mikel Arteta, Jermaine Pennant, and Joey Barton, I was expecting I would have another interview with a Premier League player—but Neal told me I would have to interview Charlton's Darren Ambrose.

The show as about "who is coming up next season." Andy Wharton from Sky takes the Writing Credits. I would also like to thank David Newton and Francis Taylor for their help in the setup. World Sport-ESPN® has exclusive rights over the following material which may not be republished or edited.

The interview took place in the Jimmy Seed Stand, in the Valley—hours after Charlton's game with West Brom. The article is exclusively only to be presented for Sport-Digital, Goal Network, Sky Sports, World Sport, Charlton Athletic TV, Soccernet, CAFC.com and Bleacher Report.

SS: Darren, thanks for joining us, especially after just playing the game.

DA: No Problem.

SS: You just drew this game. What do you make of Charlton's promotion chances now?

DA: We played a good game. I thought we could have won it, but at the end, we got lucky as one of their shots hit the bar. You need luck, and we have ended our losing streak here. I think we have six games left, and even if we can win four or five of them, then we will be in one of those places. The players fought hard today and if we play like this, then we will go up.

SS: Darren, a friend of mine wanted me to ask you this question: Do you think the gulf between the Championship and Premier League is widening?

DA: Sorry?

SS: Do you think the gap between the Premier League and Championship is increasing?

DA: Not really. Well, from here you can't compete in Europe, but there are alot of players from outside England even in the Championship. The Championship is also covered widely on TV, but I think the difference is that you cannot play in Europe from here and there's not as much money because I think there's quality in here. Also, I think even Charlton can beat a couple of teams who are in the Premier League like Derby (both laugh).

SS: Darren, you have played in the Premier League before. Are the players really excited by the prospect of playing in the Top Flight?

DA: Well, we were there only last season and I think we can go right back up. Because if you look at it, Birmingham did it last season and players like Maty (Holland), who are coming to the end of their careers, want to be up there so the players are hungry and Alan (Pardew) is making sure of it.

SS: What's your favourite goal, that you have scored?

DA:I scored one for Newcastle in the league, I think I rate that one highest.

SS: Who is your best friend at Charlton?

DA: We're all pretty close. I guess Jerome (Thomas), Matt (Holland), and John (Fortune).

SS: Your favourite place for a vacation?

DA: Definetly,Florida. That's where I got married to Rachel, it's a great place. Either Clearwater or Miami.

SS: Well, Darren, thanks for joining us—and we hope we see you and Charlton in the Premier League next season.