CHARLTON manager Alan Pardew believes under-fire England goalkeeper Scott Carson will emerge a better player for his nightmare experience against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

Carson won Charlton's Player of the Year award last season while on loan from Liverpool and Pardew gave him a ringing endorsement going into the game.

On Thursday, he insisted that nothing had changed after Carson had been pilloried for his performance.

He said: "I have great sympathy for Scott on what was a massive night for him personally and England.

"That first goal clearly unsettled him because he had to deal with an awkward shot on a very difficult surface.

"From then on he was always going to be nervous. But I thought that he actually grew in confidence as the game went on.

"The blame for that defeat should not be placed at Scott's door because there were other factors involved.

"In the past some goalkeepers have had difficult starts to their international careers. None more so than Peter Shilton.

"He went on to have a great career with England and I feel absolutely sure it will be the same for Scott."

Pardew believes that whoever succeeds sacked Steve McClaren will need immediate success.

"We need a structure that produces better technical players," he said.

Asked if close friend and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would fit the bill, Pardew replied: "I would think that somebody who has not lost a home game for four and a half years would go down well at Wembley."

Preston v Charlton match report and pictures on this website and in next week's Bexley Extra