Dean Holden wants his players to deliver all three points against Port Vale on Saturday to send fans away from The Valley with ‘smiles on faces and some optimism for next season’.
The Addicks take on a Vale side that claimed a 2-0 victory at home to Bristol Rovers last time out to end an eight-game winless run.
“Darrell [Clarke] unfortunately lost his job a couple of games ago and since Andy Crosby took over they lost narrowly to Ipswich, 2-1, and then they had a good win against Bristol Rovers last week,” said the boss.
“There’s a job available and I’m sure Andy will probably want the job himself. He’ll have his team fired up for that and there’s players within their squad, as there are within ours, who are playing for contracts either at their respective club or elsewhere.
“That’s why I always say I don’t care what part of the season it is or what position you’re in the league - it doesn’t matter. They’re professional footballers and there’s plenty to go for; there’s pride, there’s three points and as a professional that should mean everything to you. It will be a good game for that reason.
“It’s our last home game of the season and we want to send our supporters away after a rollercoaster season, let's say, with smiles on faces and some optimism for next season certainly.”
Holden reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of Vale’s visit.
He said: “The lads that have missed a chunk of games in recent weeks and months won’t be available, but other than that we’ll have the squad that we’ve had for most of the past games really. Sitting here on a Thursday you don’t quite know what’s going to show up in the next 48 hours, but as we sit here now we’re pretty much as we were.”
The annual Upbeats walk takes place on Saturday, which sees fans take part in a nine-mile walk from the training ground in New Eltham to The Valley to raise money for the club's much-loved Upbeats.
“We’ve said before it’s not an easy time for anybody, but if somebody’s got some spare pennies then I’m sure the Upbeats would really appreciate that,” said the gaffer. “A lot of great work goes on at the Community Trust and it’s a big event on Saturday - the last home game and we’ve got the walk from the training ground to the stadium.
“Hopefully we’ll raise a lot of money for that and then the Upbeats will be playing out on the pitch, which will be the most incredible day for them and their families. It’s important that we all get behind them and show our support and hopefully they can then watch the first team win as well.”
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(Transcription by Alex Forrest)
