Jason Pearce spoke to the local media today for the first time since being appointed as Interim Manager on Sunday.
The former Addicks centre half is just two days away from watching his team take on Fleetwood Town at The Valley on Saturday.
He said he wants his team to give it their all: “The first speech I had with the lads was telling them the non-negotiables that I have and expect as a person. I’ve got to see 100% from everybody and if they’re not going to display that then they are not going to play. That is the minimum expectation. I also know what the fans expect and what the club is about, I made that clear as well. I hope we can implement what we expect as a Charlton Athletic team and let’s hope we can get a positive result.”
Fleetwood have lost their last five games and Pearce said that doesn’t impact how he approaches Saturday’s fixture.
“I think there should be an expectancy on any game at home at The Valley,” he said. “That has been the message to the boys this week, we have to expect more and win our home games. Not expecting it but if you get the right performance, attitude and mentality then take the game to them that is where we can turn things around.
“We’ve done a little bit of work today on us out of possession and what it will look like, hopefully there is a bit of clarity there for the players and what I’d like to implement.
“It’s not nice when you lose five games in a row but I think it’s about the manner we lost them in, real fine margins. From a performance point of view it’s been touch and go in certain games where we have lost by an odd goal. I don’t think there are drastic changes needed but hopefully we can get the lads together, get a bit of belief in them and hopefully get a positive spin on Saturday and get a result.”
The Addicks host Fleetwood Town on Saturday at The Valley. Click here to purchase your tickets.
(Transcription by Alex Forrest)