Dean Holden was pleased with his side’s response after a difficult first half against Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in Charlton’s final pre-season game ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Dons were clinical in front of goal, scoring three goals in the opening period but the Addicks scored twice against an Aberdeen side that finished third last season.
Speaking to CharltonTV, Holden said: “I think the response from the first half was pleasing. We weren’t able to get a draw out of the game, we certainly had chances to do that. Ash [Maynard-Brewer] in goal for us has had an outstanding day. We’ve got a week to keep preparing. We don’t go overboard when we play really well and win. We take the lessons and we stay really calm and measured.
“They’re a good side. When you design a pre-season programme you want different outcomes. Aberdeen are a big club who are competing in European competition next season. If you play against teams in pre-season that you roll over – you are going to get false hope of exactly where you are at.
“The idea of pre-season is to get through it as fit as you can, with as minimal injuries as you can possibly get – which we’ve done, we’ve been really good in that respect. Then you want to find out as a team in terms of what you are good, which we saw a lot today, and where your vulnerabilities lie, and we certainly saw plenty of that if we’re being really honest.
“We’ve come out of it, from the last game, with a defeat, which we’re disappointed with but there are a hell of a lot of learning for us this week.”
The Addicks host Leyton Orient at The Valley on Saturday, August 5th. Click here to get your ticket.
