Charlton keeper hoping for big result at Derby County to fire up League One play-off prospects
Ashley Maynard-Brewer still believes that Charlton Athletic can reach the League One play-offs and knows a win at Derby County on Saturday will only boost their prospects.
The Aussie stopper made a big save late on to preserve the Addicks’ 1-0 victory at Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night.
Charlton have won five of their last seven League One matches but are still 13 points behind sixth-placed Barnsley, who also have a match in hand.
A point at Pride Park would normally represent a more than respectable return but Dean Holden’s side still have major ground to eat up on the leading pack.
Derby have the fourth best home record in the division and have lost just once in the league since October 21, a 3-2 reverse at Wycombe last weekend.
The Rams had won six home League One games in a row before Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Lincoln City.
Maynard-Brewer – asked about the test of facing County – said: “If we want to be in the play-off spots then we have to beat teams like that. It will be a different test (from facing Forest Green Rovers) but we have had some really good results against some of the big teams. Let’s hope for a good result.
“There’s lots of football to be played and five wins from seven, if we maintain those standards then we can push to those spots.”
Corey Blackett-Taylor’s first-half goal sealed victory at rock bottom Forest Green.
“It was a great result against tricky opponents,” said Maynard-Brewer. “They don’t have a great league position but when it’s 1-0 we know they are going to throw the kitchen sink, they are fighting to stay up. When you get into the last 15-20 minutes you know they are going to get one or two moments.
“We haven’t kept enough clean sheets this season. So for us to see out a good result and put in lots of blocks was really important.
“The gaffer has come in and emphasised doing the basics rights and being a team which is hard to beat. The results speak for themselves recently.”
PICTURES: KYLE ANDREWS