Dean Holden thanked Alan Curbishley for an important telephone call ahead of Tuesday’s win at Forest Green Rovers.
The Addicks boss was grateful for the advice he received from club legend Curbishley before Charlton made it three away league wins in a row with a 1-0 victory at The Bolt New Lawn.
Speaking post-match, Holden said: “Thanks to Curbs for the advice this morning - I had a good chat with him. He took the time to message me yesterday [Monday] and we had a good call today [Tuesday] so thanks for that.”
Speaking on CharltonTV, Curbishley explained the conversation: “As a Manager you are involved in everything - the sort of things that perhaps the players and other staff at the club don’t know anything about what is going on behind the scenes.
“Let's look at what has happened to Dean... he has come in with the other group that were apparently going to take over and he has done a good job winning five out the last seven.
“When he came in we were looking over our shoulder at the bottom places. Now that is out of the way, hopefully we can finish in the top 10 or even better than that. He has done a good job so far and what I was trying to say to him was don’t let that go because of what is going on. Don’t use that as an excuse; you are in charge and the Manager. Pick the team, do your work and be positive.
“I just said to him you have to be yourself and be the same as when you came in.”
Club legend Steve Brown, who managed at Ebbsfleet United, Lewes and Margate explained why that call was valuable.
“Do you know how important it is to have somebody drop that on you - a text like that or phone call like that,” he said. “I have been in a situation in management where I didn’t have a voice like that and I didn’t adjust on the sidelines. I let what was set to me in the board meetings affect me on Saturday and Tuesday. But no one made that phone call and I think it is brilliant that you [Alan Curbishley] have made that phone call.”
Charlton return to The Valley on Saturday, February 25th to take on Sheffield Wednesday (3pm KO GMT). Click here to purchase your tickets.
(Transcription by Alex Forrest)
