Ben Garner has been pleased with the reaction of his squad as they prepare for the visit of Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night (7.45pm KO BST).
The Addicks come into The Valley clash on the back of a frustrating 3-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers last time out, though the manager has been impressed at Sparrows Lane this week.
“We were disappointed as a group,” said Garner. “We didn’t feel we did ourselves justice in that game for the first time. Although we lost at Sheffield Wednesday that didn’t feel like a defeat because of how good the performance was and the fact that we probably deserved to win the game, let alone draw.
“We had some really productive meetings in the early part of last week, both players and staff, with some honest and open conversations. From that point on training has been fantastic. The reaction has been exactly where I would expect it to be and there is a real hunger to get going again tomorrow night.
“I would say it’s been my toughest week so far in terms of what I’ve seen on the training ground, with so many deserving to play,” he continued. “The quality last week was excellent and there’s players that have really pushed to stake their claim to get in the team, so it’s a tough decision in terms of the squad first and foremost and then secondly the team."
Asked whether there was pressure going into the game as the favourites, the gaffer said: “No, not really. We add that pressure ourselves because we want to win each and every game. Forest Green have progressed really well as a football club over a long period of time now, from non-League up into League Two and now into League One.
"Obviously there's been a change from last year there with a new manager now and quite a turnover in terms of their personnel. There's still a lot of quality within their squad and it's a very versatile squad looking at the way they’ve set up this season.
“We’ll be expected to win, we want to win and from the first whistle that will be our mindset. It’s a game we need to attack and it’s a game we’re certainly looking for three points in."
The club will pay tribute to Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II ahead of Tuesday’s game at The Valley.
“It’s a great opportunity for all of us at the football club to come together, along with Forest Green, to show our respect and honour a truly incredible life,” said Garner.
“I was talking to a friend of mine the day that the Queen passed and it was an amazing fact that the Prime Minister that she appointed, if you like, was Winston Churchill. A man born in 1874 and then in 2022 she’s appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister, so I think that just goes to show the scope of her life and the incredible service that she gave."
Click here to get your tickets for Tuesday's game against Forest Green Rovers at The Valley.
(Article by Tyler Rowlinson)