Sean Clare says the Addicks are full of confidence heading into Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash at Peterborough United.
The 26-year-old has played every minute of Dean Holden’s six games in charge to date as Charlton have climbed to within six points of the play-offs.
Speaking at a school appearance in Mottingham as part of the annual EFL Week of Action, Clare was full of praise for his new boss.
He said: “Spirits are really high and we’re gelling a bit more on the back of three big wins in the league and obviously the performance at Old Trafford. Everything has been really positive; the fans have been great with their support and we’re just trying to give back to them as much as we can.
“The gaffer has been great. Like I said, we’ve got three league wins on the spin and we’ve bonded really well, but there is still a lot of hard work to be put in on the training pitch and in games.
“Saturday will be another tough test at Peterborough. It’s another away game and we obviously want to go there and be as well prepared as we can be.”
Clare joined fellow Addick Beth Roe and Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) Apprentice Sports Coach Alfie Maloney at Ravensworth Primary School. After taking part in a session around the significance of reading, the year four participants were encouraged to talk about books they enjoy.
“It’s important to give back to the community and engage with the kids,” explained Clare. “It’s just nice to give a different perspective and give them a little bit of that first step.
“Dreams and ambitions drive us on in life and they give us something to strive towards in day-to-day life. For me, obviously football was always a goal and it was also a nice dream to have to one day be in the position that I’m in today.”
Asked what book he is currently reading, Clare said: “This is ‘The Silva Mind Control Method’. My mum gave it to me and it’s about using your mind to make things easier for yourself in terms of pressure situations.
“It’s also about visualisation for the future and being more positive by turning negatives into positives. Life’s not easy for everyone so it’s important to have little things that make you enjoy it.”
CACT’s Alfie Maloney added: “It’s a massive inspiration for the kids seeing two professional footballers visit and it gives them massive goals.
“Ravensworth have values and categories for the end of term, and this term its goals and ambitions. We had Beth and Sean come in with the book that gave them ambitions to be professional footballers and how that book drives them to be better and better.”
The Addicks return to The Valley on Saturday, January 28th for the visit of Bolton Wanderers (12.30pm KO GMT). Click here to purchase your tickets.
(Transcription by Dominik Zielinski)