Parkinson backs Addicks to thrive at hostile Den (From News Shopper)

Parkinson backs Addicks to thrive at hostile Den

2:41pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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PHIL Parkinson believes his Charlton squad have enough mental strength to cope with the hostile atmosphere which awaits them at The Den on Saturday.

The Addicks players can expect a hot reception when they visit their nearest and not so dearest for the first time in more than 15 years.

Nobody knows for sure how Charlton will react but the boss is confident they will be able to cope with what awaits.

Parkinson said: “Everyone knows it is a big game irrespective of it being a local derby because it is two teams at the tope end of the table getting to the crunch part of the season.

“Everybody understands the importance of it, so it is a game we are looking forward to.

“One thing we’ve had all season is mental strength and we’ve got that in abundance in the squad.

“You can go right through the players - we’ve got experienced players who’ve played in big occasions before, so I’m very confident we’ve got the players to handle it.

“I’ve played there many times at the old Den and the new one, so I know what it is all about. It will be a good atmosphere.”

He added: “We are taking 3,000 fans so it will be a good atmosphere and I’m sure our supporters will play their part.

“If you were a player, you would be looking forward to it and can’t wait for Saturday to come. What a game to be involved in.

“With Millwall it is a different type of atmosphere. It is always hostile.

“I think the supporters there are good supporters who demand 100 per cent commitment from the players and if they get that then they back their team.

“It was a place I always enjoyed playing at and I’m sure our team will enjoy playing there on Saturday.”

But Parkinson was also keen to warn his side not to get too caught up in the occasion.

He said: “The atmosphere is a factor. The advantage we have as an away team is we go there with a lot of supporters behind us.

“As a player, any atmosphere raises the intensity and tempo of your performance, so it comes into it.

“But it is a case of being up for the derby game but playing with cool heads as well.

“That is a key in any derby game because you know the start is going to be 100mph but you’ve got to have composure in your play as well, which is what we’ve been talking about to the players today.”

Charlton go into the game on the back of last week’s less than convincing 2-0 win over Stockport, with Parkinson accepting Millwall will provide a much sterner test.

“In the first half against Stockport I thought we played well,” he added.

“The performance in the second half became scrappy. The pitch certainly didn’t help us but I think in terms of the intensity of the game, Saturday will be a few notches above that one.”

Millwall are flying at the moment and enjoyed a 3-1 win at Carlisle on Tuesday, a game which Parkinson also attended.

The Addicks boss has been impressed by what opposite number Kenny Jackett has done at The Den, but added their long trek north may not do them any favours.

Parky said: “I saw them at Carlisle on Tuesday. They are a strong, organised team and Kenny has done a good job there.

“When he took over they were struggling and in the lower reaches of this division, but he has turned them into promotion candidates, so enormous credit to him.

“He has done that before at Swansea, so it doesn’t surprise me.

“The impact of their journey has got to come into the equation because if you have just been up to Carlisle, it certainly isn’t going to help.

“If they had gone up to Carlisle and got beat, that obviously would have been better for us.”