Dean Holden brings his Charlton Athletic side to the Mem on Friday full of confidence and backed by a sold out away end, but the Addicks boss is expecting a tough examination by Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers side.
After considerable uncertainty around his position at The Valley, Holden signed a long-term contract at the start of March and his side have gone five games unbeaten since. The top six is out of reach for them but they are looking to continue their upturn in form heading into the summer.
Holden returns to Bristol having worked for more than four years over the red side of the city, first as Lee Johnson’s assistant and then as head coach for six months at the start of the 2020/21 season, which will undoubtedly lead to a warm welcome from the assembled Gasheads.
For the Mancunian, however, his focus is on what transpires on the field against a Rovers team who are emerging from an enforced three-week break after their previous two league fixtures were postponed.
“You always know what type of game you’re going to get from Joey Barton’s teams,” Holden told the South London Press, citing the threat of Aaron Collins.
“They have had an up and down season. They’ve had spells where they had a good run and then they have changed the team around a little bit, in terms of shape.
“It will be interesting to see how they’ve managed that time away. For us, we know where their strengths are. The standout player for them – Collins, he’s had a really good season in terms of his numbers, goals and chances created.
“It will be a tough game. I know what Joey Barton and his staff are all about. I know them really well. You can always expect a tough game, full of commitment, but we’re in a good moment. There will be no question whatsover of getting above our station – purely because of where we are in the league ourselves – we’ve still got points to play for and a position in the table we want to try and get to.”
Charlton sold out of their 1,167 allocation earlier this week and should add to the atmosphere in north Bristol which has felt a little uncertain in the week’s building up to the break.
Rovers are winless in their last seven games at the Mem, in all competitions, scoring just once. With games at home on the horizon against promotion-challenging Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers, Charlton represent probably their best chance to address the run before the conclusion to the campaign.
“I got that message (about the ticket sales) just prior to the team meeting this morning, so I relayed that to the players immediately,” Holden added. "We’ve just got to make sure we continue the run, that’s why the fans are onboard because they are liking what they are seeing on the pitch at the moment. It all adds to the buzz that is around at the minute.”
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