Lee Bowyer was focussed on Thursday after today’s 1-0 loss to Rochdale.
The Addicks finished sixth in Sky Bet League One and will face Shrewsbury in the first leg of the play-offs semi-final at The Valley later this week.
Below are the key talking points.
On mixed emotions...
“I just said to the players when I took charge I said we would make the play-offs, we will make the play-offs, believe in yourself and we will. You’ll have to fight for 10 games and prove everybody wrong. Everybody doubted we would make the play-offs, so I’m not going to stand here and criticise them after today’s performance when they’ve given me absolutely everything for 10 games. I’m proud of them, this is just the start. This is phase 1. This was the first task that I set them. The next task is to get to Wembley. We’ve got two tough games against Shrewsbury and they will be tough but we’ll need our fans on Thursday for sure to get behind us like they did for Blackburn. I’m excited.”
On squad rotation...
“I had to look at the bigger picture without disrespecting the other team or anybody else. There are players like Josh when he has come into the team, he has given me everything. He has worked harder than I ever thought he would, so why would I risk him today. There are some positions that I haven’t got as much cover. In an ideal world I would have rested Jake for 90 minutes but I couldn’t but I’m happy with the decisions I made. Obviously disappointed with losing the game but for sure I was looking at the bigger picture.”
On if he knows his team for Shrewsbury...
“I’d say 90% that I think I know. There are one or two things that I need to think about. I need to think about the two games not just the one, and they are very close together. I know one thing, whoever I put out there will give me 100% and they’ve done that from the minute I walked through the door.”
On the fans...
“Again I can’t thank them enough. It is good to see the togetherness not just with the squad and staff that I have but with the fans coming together and the whole club seems a better place at the moment. Again I’d thank them for their support.”
On Johnnie Jackson coming on as substitute...
“Jacko is one game away from 500 appearances which is some achievement and obviously this is his last season with Charlton and everybody loves him and rightfully so. To be as committed and dedicated as he is to the club then I think it is only fair to let him say goodbye and obviously Thursday will be the last time he will be at The Valley, so hopefully we’ll get the right outcome and things will be positive for him on the night. I’m delighted for him and all the fans.”