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Charlton and Sheffield United enter last-chance saloon
LONDON (AFP) - Alan Pardew has told his Charlton team to forget about recent disappointments as they prepare for the defining 90 minutes of their season against fellow strugglers Sheffield United this weekend.
Having suffered a last-minute defeat at Everton in their last game, the Addicks are looking to respond by climbing out of the relegation places at the expense of Saturday's visitors to The Valley.
Victory for Pardew's men will see them jump above United, who currently occupy the last survival spot in the top flight, one place and two points ahead of Charlton.
Pardew praised his team's effort in the defeat at Everton whilst spelling out the significance that the game against Neil Warnock's team had now taken on.
"Sheffield United is a massive game for us; it's a must-win game for us. There is no other way to describe it," warned Pardew.
"The way the results have gone for us with Sheffield United winning (against West Ham last weekend) and Wigan getting a point means that our next match could decide our fate.
"We can look back with pride and take that into the game. I certainly feel there is a lot of mileage in what's going on at the bottom of the league.
"My overriding feeling is that this team still has a lot to say in what's going to go on between now and the end of the season."
The ex-West Ham manager can take encouragement from his team's run of one defeat in seven games and their recent results at home, where they have collected 13 points from a possible 15.
United will arrive at the Valley reinvigorated, however, after victory over West Ham and a spirited showing in defeat away at Manchester United arrested an alarming slide in form.
The Blades' captain Chris Morgan demanded his team-mates build on the platform and maintain focus for the vital clash.
"I have no idea how many points we need, the only thing I'm thinking about is Charlton on Saturday and the fact we need to get a result," said the centre-back.
"We have said all along you can't start thinking about what is going to happen and where we are going to pick points up.
"We are just looking at Charlton in the same way we just focused on West Ham when we got the result we wanted.
"We worked hard last season to get promoted to this division, and we are not just going to give it up for nothing," said the former Barnsley man.
The defender will be aware that the Yorkshireman have lost their last eight away games, a run that extends back to before Christmas.
Morgan also backed striker Luton Shelton to be a secret weapon in the run-in after the Jamaican's eye-catching performance at Old Trafford, where he was unfortunate not to earn a penalty.
"I thought Luton did really well up there on his own. He gave them something to think about and he looked exciting and sharp."
Charlton's Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink completed 75 minutes of a reserve game on Monday, and is in contention to play following a hamstring injury. Hermann Hriedarsson is doubtful with a knee injury.
Marcus Bent has a pulled hamstring and is expected to miss out against his former club.
United welcome back Chris Armstrong, Christian Nade and Keith Gillespie whilst Jonathan Stead is expected to recover from the knock that kept him out of the Manchester United game.
Top scorer Rob Hulse is out for the season after breaking his leg against Chelsea in March.
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