Wigan fans make hat-trick hero Camara feel at home

WIGAN striker Henri Camara believes he has finally found a home after listening to the Latics fans singing his praises.

He displayed the full range of his abilities to score his first hat-trick since French side Sedan's 5-0 victory over Lorient in Ligue 1 four years ago.

The Senegal international made fools of Charlton's defence with his pace, presence of mind and poaching instincts although a number of the gaping wounds the Addicks received were self inflicted.

Said Camara: "I have noticed there is a great bond between players and supporters in this country, which is not the same as in France, and to hear the fans singing my name is fantastic for me.

"That made me really happy, but I am happy here at Wigan because the most important aspect is that I am settled."

The win ended Wigan's five-match losing run, after defeats to Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

"With those five games we knew who we were up against," Camara said. "We always knew it was going to be difficult, but those defeats did not affect our confidence. It has always remained really high, but to win this game is still big for us."

Manager Paul Jewell knows Camara is an asset, albeit one he will lose for around a month early next year due to the African Nations Cup.

"He can sometimes drive you up the wall, but he is a nice, quiet boy and has that invaluable asset of pace.

"Even Sir Alex Ferguson said after the game last Wednesday what a handful he is. He still doesn't speak much English but he never comes in when I tell the players they've got the day off, so he understands me then."

There is certainly a lack of understanding in Charlton's back four at present as they crashed to a seventh defeat in eight matches.

Manager Alan Curbishley was "completely and utterly shocked" by the performance, which has left him looking over his shoulder at the relegation picture.

"I'm not blaming the back five, I'm blaming all of them because they don't seem to have any defensive responsibility about them," said Curbishley, who put a block on his players talking after the game.

"We let four in at Blackburn a few weeks ago, five recently at home to Manchester City, and three here.

"I pick the team so I take responsibility for that, but they have to take responsibility for some of their defending at the moment."

Opta Fact: The was the first time Wigan have scored more than two in a Premiership game.

Opta Fact: None of Charlton's last 10 away trips has finished as a draw.