Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann believes new Charlton
manager Alan Pardew can inspire his team to escape their relegation
worries.
Hahnemann played under Pardew in the old Division One before he
left to take charge at West Ham, and the US international saw
first-hand the impact his motivational techniques could have.
Pardew now faces one of the toughest tests of his career as he
attempts to reverse Charlton's disastrous start to the season, but
Hahnemann feels Pardew is perfectly suited for the challenge.
"The one thing you really want your manager to do is give you
confidence and Pards has always instilled confidence in his teams,"
he told the Guardian. "If you don't have confidence, I don't think
you're going anywhere.
"Going straight from West Ham to Charlton so quickly is something I
don't think many other managers would be up for. It shows the sort
of character he has to jump straight back in there.
"He loves it - he loves being part of the game. He lives and
breathes what's happening on the field, takes great pride in his
team, and that's why he's been so successful in such tough
situations.
"From day one, I was the 'best goalkeeper in the world'. He gave
you a lot of confidence. I don't know if he will haul Charlton out
of the relegation zone, but if anyone can do it it's him, just for
the sheer fact he'll be able to inspire a lot of confidence."