Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Ben Alnwick writes for the KM Group
08:00, 09 January 2014
updated: 08:34, 09 January 2014
It’s been a hectic time for the club over the past few weeks and now, on Saturday, it will be a particularly interesting game for me on a personal level.
We played four league games in a short space of time and, as was our plan going into that period, we kept fighting and took something out of each of the matches.
Six points from a possible 12 isn’t a bad return when you consider the quality of opponents we came up against during that stretch, but going unbeaten is the main thing and really gives everyone confidence going into the second half of the season.
The run started at Bolton, and we probably could have left the Reebok Stadium with all three points rather than the one we ended up taking, but that stopped the rot after a disappointing defeat at home to Derby.
Obviously the win at home to Brighton on Boxing Day was huge as well. We went behind, but our heads never dropped and we were also backed by the fans throughout, too.
Yann Kermorgant scored a fantastic free-kick in that game, following up from his goal at Bolton, and when he is on form the whole team plays better.
Fatigue plays its part at this time of year, especially when we played Sheffield Wednesday at The Valley on a pitch not ideally suited to free-flowing football!
There were some hard yards put in by everyone, but once again we battled and got a point. You want three from any home game, but it was another important test mentally to come through.
We started the new year with a draw at Ipswich, but that one probably felt like a win if I’m honest. Scoring in the last minute to get something from a game is always a special feeling.
People said that my penalty save at 1-0 down was just as important, but it's my job to do stuff like that.
The lads were excellent on the day, they kept fighting until the end and I think we got what we deserved. I was over the moon with the point and made up for all the lads. It the fighting spirit we've got in the dressing room.
Confidence is high so hopefully we can keep going, picking up points and everything will be spot-on.
We’ve had a bit of a break compared to some of the other sides in the league with our FA Cup game being postponed not once, but twice. So we should be fighting fit going into Saturday’s game at home to Barnsley.
You always want to do well against your former clubs and this is no different.
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