Ben Garner will ‘double down’ to ensure Charlton Athletic stick to his footballing vision

Ben Garner has once again spelled out that Charlton Athletic’s football philosophy will not change – even if some of his players went away from his approach in the closing stages of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers.

The former Swindon Town boss promised possession-based and attacking football when he succeeded Johnnie Jackson this summer.

But Garner felt that his team reverted back to some of their old habits at The Valley in midweek.

“There were some shouts to get it in the box and get it forward – and a little bit, not being disrespectful – of a throwback to how the play was last season,” Garner told the South London Press.

“We played too many balls from 40 yards at Jayden Stockley and just hoping that dropped and something happens. It’s not the way we train and prepare. We need to stick to that. There is great talent and quality within this group, we need to build on that and grow it. We need to keep getting better and better.

“There was a fantastic example the other night. I watched Man City against Dortmund. Man City, by their own incredible standards, weren’t great in the opening 45 minutes. Dortmund go ahead but their mentality is so strong – to keep playing their way and keep doing the right things. By the end of the game Dortmund were out on their feet. Two fantastic goals but even if they hadn’t scored those goals they would have kept going and being relentless.

“That’s what I want to see from us – a real belief and togetherness in what we’re doing and sticking to it.

“Hopefully the supporters can all get on board with that. Ninety-nine per cent of supporters who I’ve met and spoken to have been really complimentary about what we’re trying to do, how we’re playing and how much they have enjoyed it.

“There’s just been a couple of results we’ve been disappointed with, it doesn’t mean we throw all that work away – panic and go and do something else. Because how do you ever improve long term, as a club and as a team, if you do that?

“We won’t be going away from it, we’ll double down on it and work even harder. We’ve shown how good we can be doing that. But these players, more than anything, need wins – the confidence and momentum. Hopefully we can get that as quickly as possible, starting with Fleetwood.”