Holland desperate to get back on track

Matt Hughes|Wayne Veysey|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Matt Holland today insisted that Charlton are desperate to return to winning ways against Manchester United on Sunday.

Alan Curbishley's side have slipped to 11th after picking up only two points from their last six games and have little chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

Charlton have struggled to build on promising positions in each of the past four seasons but Holland is at a loss to explain why.

He said: "We're desperate to get a win. It's been a terrible period for us and we are desperate to bring it to an end.

"I'd love to be able to put my finger on what goes wrong towards the end of the season but can't. I've only been here for two years but it's happened for the last four.

"We've tried to do things differently but nothing changes. Last year we went away to Spain for a few days and this year we've had loads of team meetings but it hasn't worked. It's very frustrating."

With Championship-chasing Chelsea and relegation-threatened Crystal Palace following on from Saturday's visit of United, Holland admitted that Charlton's European hopes are fading.

He said: "Our chances are fading every week but three wins will put us in with a chance. It will be difficult against Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace but we can do it. Anything is possible."

Meanwhile, Roy Keane is set to be offered a new contract by Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford beyond his planned retirement date next summer.

The United board are ready to give Keane, 33, an extension to his deal that ensures he stays with the club until just short of his 36th birthday.

The Irishman could also be offered a part-time coaching role as part of the deal, similar to that of Alan Shearer's at Newcastle.

United's error-prone goalkeeper Tim Howard admits he is still in shock at being signed by United two years ago.

The 25-year-old American, who has had a poor season after being voted on to the PFA's Premiership team at the end of his first season in 2004, said: "I thought I was pretty talented but never in my wildest dreams did I think I was talented enough to play here.

"I got a call from the United goalkeeping coach who said, 'We are interested in you. Don't call us, we'll call you'.

"I hung up the phone and thought to myself, 'I can live the rest of my life on that one phone call'. Next thing I knew I was playing."

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Alan Curbishley

Charlton Athletic

English Football League 1

UEFA Europa League

Holland desperate to get back on track

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