Ben Garner says his Charlton side head to Lincoln City full of optimism.
The Addicks travel to the LNER Stadium in search of a first league victory in eight and a first away league triumph of the season.
"We're very confident we can win the game," said Garner. "I think we've been really, really unlucky not to pick up an away win so far. This is the next opportunity to do that and we're chomping at the bit to get going and play.
"This period has certainly brought me closer to the group. Going through a difficult period, if you like, does bring you closer together and I'm seeing the real character of the players and the true person behind it.
"In that way it's been valuable," he continued. "It's not something we wanted to go through but we have and we have to take the positives and take strength from that. It will stand us in good stead moving forwards."
The boss was full of praise for Mark Kennedy's Lincoln City side, who are unbeaten on home soil in League One this term.
"We want to go there and get the three points and be positive in the game," Garner explained. "Lincoln are a good side that are very well-organised. I think they sit in sort of a mid-block really well and they press from that with good intensity. They're a huge threat on the counter-attack because they've got good pace, good creativity and goal threats in their team.
"It's a game where we're going to have to have good intensity, we're going to have to be brave in how we play and we're also going to have to have a lot of intelligence in our play. We can't go there and play naively; we need to keep a really good structure with and without the ball. If we do that and play with the intensity that we can we will win the game.
"For me this is a good group that are growing all the time, we just need that result to give us the confidence to believe and get momentum."
Garner thanked the travelling Addicks making the trip to Lincolnshire this weekend despite the scheduled national rail strike.
"There seems to be travel disruptions every week at the moment and it's making things difficult for people. As always, anyone that makes the effort to travel, get the behind the team and support us I really do thank them and appreciate it.
"We're really desperate - me in particular - to give them something to cheer about tomorrow and we'll be doing our best to do that."
The Addicks return to The Valley on Tuesday night when they take on Exeter City. Click here to purchase your tickets.
