Parkinson focuses on present

1st December 2008

Phil Parkinson brushed aside talk of landing the full-time manager's role at Charlton following Saturday's goalless draw with Southampton.

Parkinson will be in line to become Alan Pardew's permanent successor if he can steer Charlton away from relegation trouble, but the former Colchester boss insists his sole focus is on improving the team's fortunes on the pitch.

"I'm just going to focus on this week's training," he said.

"I've done everything I can this week to try and change things around and I got a good, honest performance.

"At this stage of the season, if you've put in performances like we have, you haven't been good enough. We needed a bit more character in the side and in the last two games we've seen a lot more character and a lot more resilience."