Iain Dowie - looking forward to new challengeIain Dowie has flatly rejected the suggestion his Charlton side will be relegation fodder next season - and insists the Addicks are out to cause plenty of problems in the Barclays Premiership.
The departure of long-time head coach Alan Curbishley at the end of the last campaign following 15 years at the helm left many questioning just where the south-east London club would go from here.
Dowie's eventual appointment did little to sway the bookmakers from listing Charlton among the favourites to go down.
However, the 41-year-old coach sees no reason why the club should struggle following the change of management.
Dowie has always been a firm believer in meticulous preparation as well as the ability to get the best out of each and every one of his squad by whatever means possible, with a proven track record of relative success at both Oldham and then Crystal Palace.
Despite modest pre-season results, the Addicks boss sees no reason to be anything other than positive heading into the new campaign which will see veteran Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink support England striker Darren Bent in attack.
"There is a wonderful Britishness about people having adversity - they like to see people do badly," Dowie declared.
"At the end of the day, I know that whatever happens here I will work as hard as I can, they players will too and we will do the best we can.
"I believe we might surprise a few, and to be honest I am not too worried what people outside it think; bookmakers are bookmakers - they had Wigan to be favourites for relegation last time.
"If I think the players in the dressing room are playing for me and giving their all, then that is enough.
"If at any time that does not happen, then it will be a struggle.
"But I have the feeling the players are very much focused
"We will play with good sprit and good heart to enjoy what is a fantastic event every week."
Dowie is clearly enjoying a fresh challenge at The Valley.
He maintained: "This is better for me than playing for me, so I am living the dream as a football manager and would be doing this in non-league if I was not at this level.
"That enthusiasm will never die from me, whether it is in 10 years time or after a 4-0 defeat you still have to have the ability to dust yourself down, look the media and the fans in the eye, take it on the chin and get on with it.
"If you cannot do that - then do not get into the frying pan."
After landing Hasselbaink on a free transfer and the arrival of promising youngster Simon Walton from Leeds, Dowie has made no secret of his desire to further strengthen the squad ahead of the opening Premiership match against West Ham.
Charlton may have been linked with Sweden World Cup goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, but Dowie rejected reports he was about to offload Danish stopper Stephan Andersen.
He said: "I do not understand where that has come from.
"I had a conversation with Stephan and his agent, but at no stage was that relayed, so it has been misconstrued."
Dowie feels he needs up to five more players, and feels he is "close" to landing some of his targets.
However, the Charlton boss accepted: "The problem with modern deals is you can be right close to something and then agents can then put that deal to other clubs, who may think 'well, can we do that?'
"You have got to make sure you get it over the line - that is the key.
"Sometimes it does get out of kilter in terms of the value of players, but that is the market we are in and we have got to deal with that."
Dowie used Wednesday night's friendly against Welling to run the rule over trialist Francisco Javier Farinos, who had spells at Inter Milan and Valencia, as well as Costa Rica World Cup midfielder Christian Bolanos.
"We thought Javier was well worth a look - you cannot play for the clubs he has without being a talented boy," noted Charlton boss, whose side host New Zealand on Saturday.
"He is having a look at us and we are having a look at him, that is where it stands.
"We also have a chance to look at Christian Bolanos. He is only 22, has something about him and they are two very interesting opportunities."
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