Pards pleased to see squad overcome fear

9:20am Monday 6th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

CHARLTON manager Alan Pardew saluted his team's fearless second half performance as the match winning difference over the Tractor Boys.

After a rather dull first 30 minutes, the match kicked into action after Martin Cranie's own goal cancelled out Nicky Bailey's early free-kick.

The winner, which gave Charlton their first home points since August 23, came via a Moritz Volz own goal from a cross by Darren Ambrose on the hour.

Pardew claimed his players were playing with fear in the first half but it soon disappeared after the interval.

He said: "Fear loses games. It's a massive part of football and I felt we left it in the changing room at half-time and that's what won us the game.

"I've always said it is never about the manager.

"It's always about the players because the players have to go on the pitch and deliver under extreme pressure at times, so I always take my hat off to the players when they turn it around like they did today."

Pardew added: "I'm just pleased for the club because there are so many good people at this club and they deserve to win.

"I haven't been sleeping well. Press and fans seem to think we can just go home and think it's just another week, but it is not like that."

Pardew believes his side are not quite genuine title contenders yet, but there is every chance the likes of Fernando Torres and Michael Ballack will be visiting SE7 next season.

He said: "As I watch the Championship week in, week out, there is really nothing between the teams.

"It is the spirit and integrity of the group that could sometimes get you promoted out of the pack which is where we are at the minute.

"I can't believe it with all due respect to Sheffield Wednesday after they came here last week that they were in the play-offs.

"That could have been us, so it just goes to show you the fine line and you've just got to hold your nerves in this division."

He added: "In the Championship, nerves play a massive part.

"I've been involved in the play-offs a few times and some of the time my team have held their nerve and some of the time they haven't.

"You have to keep reminding the players not to panic and to hold their nerve under pressure and I thought we did that well in the second half."

"We are not as good as Reading or Wolves or Birmingham, but if results like this continue and we get our confidence up, then we can be but we are fighting for our lives every week in this division.

"As Wolves have found out, two quick defeats can quickly turn your form on its head and you have to be prepared for that and respond."

Pardew also explained although he feels the criticism which has come his way recently, it is not easy to brush off and tends to follow you around.

He said: "I'm going to come in for some criticism but I have to accept that on the back of two losses in this division after a start where perhaps we should have done better."

"I've always reacted to pressure in the same way which is to be bold.

"If you start to let people affect your judgement then you're in trouble, so I picked a bold team today.

"We take it personally and as much as I shield myself from some of the pressure and some of the criticism, I accept it."