Reed keeps feet on the ground in fight to save Charlton
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Your support makes all the difference.Les Reed feels a taste of grass-roots football with his son on a Sunday morning can help him stay relaxed as he plots Charlton's top-flight survival.
The 53-year-old admits he is not one of the instantly recognisable Premiership bosses, having been handed his first managerial post following the dismissal of Iain Dowie. However, Reed is one of the most respected coaches in the game, having worked for the England first-team set-up in his role as technical director at the Football Association.
The father of four, however, has every intention of keeping things in perspective as the Addicks look to battle away from the foot of the Premier League. "My son Andy is 14. He is a football nut - a Charlton fan, too," he said. "I am on the touchline on a Sunday for his team, Bishop's Stortford, as a physio. They are the only club in the country to have a Premier League manager as their physio, and I think I might be there again this week. To be honest, I just like to help out and it is something I do for relaxation.
"My son gives me advice all the time and is probably going to be a good coach one day. He says things like 'you need to get more crosses in, dad' and 'you need more shots on target'.Andy has also been looking through his PlayStation for players around the world who might be available for us in the January transfer window."
Reed accepts his profile is set to grow over the coming months. "People will probably want to know what I am buying at the supermarket - however I am not worried about it. It will happen, but I am prepared for that."
Reed tried to lighten the atmosphere at the training ground this week - organising a shooting competition. He agreed to pay for the prizes - which included one of his own coaching videos for the winner, Darren Ambrose.
"If I am tense, and look like I am panicking, then that is not giving them the right message," said Reed, whose side host Everton in today's lunchtime kick-off. "We have talked about not forcing it, and giving the ball away by trying too hard.
"There is a tendency that when you are struggling a bit, you try something more difficult in the hope that it will get you out of trouble. We need to concentrate on the basics."
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