Richardson captained Leeds before joining Charlton last summer

Charlton defender Frazer Richardson is praying the club wins automatic promotion rather than endure the unpredictability of the play-offs.

The 27-year-old played for Leeds in the 2008 play-off final defeat against Doncaster Rovers.

He also watched his team-mates lose to Millwall in last year's semi-finals.

And Richardson, who joined the Addicks from Leeds last July, told BBC Radio Kent: "After my recent experiences I've come to hate the play-offs."

The Yorkshireman added: "At the start of this season, a lot of the lads were saying we had to get automatic promotion. Me even more so because I've been in a play-off situation a few times now and they have not been happy."

Richardson was the longest-serving player on Leeds' books when he left the Addicks' promotion rivals after making 173 appearances in seven seasons.

But he insists he is now focused on Charlton's promotion prospects.

He said: "I keep in touch with some of the lads at Leeds but my priority is helping Charlton win promotion. I want to win for Charlton and take the club forward."

Richardson is looking forward to Saturday's south London derby at Millwall after the two teams produced a 4-4 thriller at The Valley on 19 December.

"Saturday's match calls for cool heads. That will be crucial," said Richardson.

Charlton have sold their allocation of 3,000 tickets with the match expected to attract a crowd of 17,600.

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