Charlton to win away again?

Barnsley beat Blackpool this evening to push us back into sixth place. We need another win at Bristol City on Tuesday evening if we are to have a chance of regaining the fourth spot and, perhaps more importantly, to prevent Bristol City from extending their second place lead over us to eight points. What are our chances? Officially a miserly 7-4 which at least demonstrates the bookies faith in us.

City have won four and drawn three of the seven games played at home. They have also won the last three home games in succession and, having drawn at Wolves on Saturday, they will be confident of another three points. We have followed both of our previous away wins with draws (2-2 at Colchester after Palace and 1-1 with Barnsley after Hull) and I would like to see Alan Pardew be a little bolder tomorrow in the formation we adopt. The 4-5-1 might have suited us for Saturday but that plan was scuppered when Semedo was dismissed and it was the front two that created the goal, even if Varney crossed for it. We created chances in the first half at St. Marys but were also prone to the counter. In the second half when attack appeared to become our best form of defence we prospered with 10 men and I think there's a lesson for us in that at the moment.

So, I would like to see us start 4-4-2 and try to worry City from the off. If we sit back 4-5-1 I fear we might be inviting trouble. I haven't seen much of City this season and only recognise a couple of their players (Phil Jeavons is one and he hasn't played much). That's not to say they aren't a decent team and the table would back them. However, I am going to go for an away double, 2-1 to the Addicks. It would be great to respond to the three defeats in a row with three victories (ok, two and Cardiff to come). Oh, and it would shut-up the prophets of doom for a while!

C'mon you Reds!