League One, Weekend Preview, Game 7

Last night's 2-0 win for MK Dons over pre-season title favourites Southampton saw the Addicks drop down to tenth in the table, although we remain only two points from top in a heavily congested early season competition. The Pardew factor certainly looks like it's hit Southampton much harder than us Charlton fans would have anticipated, with straight defeats since his departure. It's hard not to imagine Southampton recovering from this and putting the sort of run together they did last year with the squad Nigel Adkins has at his disposal. For now, however, they languish at the bottom on four points.


Tranmere Rovers are also joint bottom and they are next up for us. Having dismissed them in a one-sided encounter at Prenton Park this time last year, hopes will be high that we can come away with three points although we are playing nothing like the quality of football we were then and we look ultra-defensive away from home.


It promises to be another intriguing week as the early season unfolds and here's my take on all the matches.


Brentford v Hartlepool
Not a great start for the Bees and they have only a creditable home win over Sheffield Wednesday to show from three home games so far. Hartlepool haven't been much better and this should be a routine home win.
Prediction; 2-0


Carlisle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlisle remain unbeaten and their fine win at Sheffield Wednesday will have them in good spirit for their visitors from the South Coast. Brighton too have started well but don't yet look as convincing as their pre-season spending and ambition threatened. I suspect they will compete this year although this could be shaded by the home side.
Prediction; 2-1


Dagenham & Redbridge v Bristol Rovers
All of the Daggers four points have come at home this season and Rovers have managed two draws on the road. Rovers couldn't break the deadlock at home last week against Brentford and might find it hard again here. 
Prediction; 1-0


Exeter City v Peterborough United
Exeter are hard to beat as we found out to our cost a fortnight ago. Posh appear to blow hot or cold and much may depend on what mood they are in. They certainly appear to have the personnel to get the goals and I'll gamble here that they will blow hot.
Prediction; 1-3


Huddersfield Town v Yeovil Town
Town are unbeaten at home but have surprisingly drawn two from three. I can't see them failing not to win this one.
Prediction; 2-0


MK Dons v Rochdale
Dale are enjoying their first foray outside the the bottom flight in living memory.They have actually been better away from home where they have won two and drawn one from three. MK have an equally impressive three straight home wins and will be keen to make it six points in a week that would help cement their start. I think they will do just that.
Prediction; 2-0


Notts County v Leyton Orient 
The O's are finding it a bit of a struggle again and this doesn't look any easier. Notts will rightly feel aggrieved at their Valley mugging last week and anything like the adventure shown then should be all that's needed.
Prediction; 2-0


Oldham Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
The Latics let a two-goal lead slip at London Road last time out and got whipped 5-2 in the end. Meanwhile the Cherries cruised past the Daggers on the south coast. Bournemouth have started well but have been less impressive away from home but have still managed a draw and a win to add to their opening day reversal in SE7. They should be good enough on current form for a point here.
Prediction; 1-1


Plymouth Argyle v Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday's healthy travelling support will arrive in Plymouth with mixed feelings after losing at home to Carlisle on Saturday. Argyle took a decent point at Colchester on the same day but have yet to win at Home Park this season. They might have to wait a tad longer for that.
Prediction; 1-1


Southampton v Colchester United
Nigel Adkins will be desperate to arrest the decline but this is a tricky fixture. Who would have thought Southampton wouldn't have a win from their first three home league matches? By contrast, Colchester haven't been beaten away from home yet and it's only three home draws that prevents them from topping the table. Now's as good a time as you will get to play at St Marys and I think Colchester might get a comfortable draw.
Prediction; 1-1


Tranmere Rovers v Charlton Athletic
This is hard to call. I'm trying to get the depressing performance against Notts County out of my head, and yet I can't forget that we haven't dominated any game yet or looked much better than any opponent. Scoring has been hard work and we have been very defensive away from home. Rob Elliott is out for a month, so young Ross Worner's early season baptism will continue. Dailly remains out and Parky seems unwilling to give Chris Solly another go despite Francis looking less than fully comfortable at right back. The central midfield pairing isn't right either, although it's probably suited for trying to close the door away from home. This could be a game decided by the only goal and I fear they might get it.
Prediction; 1-0


Walsall v Swindon Town
A short trip for Swindon to the back edge of Birmingham and a chance to continue their recent recovery of sorts. Their one-nil home win against Southampton looked good last week but perhaps less so after the Saints went down again at MK Dons last night. I'll stick my neck out and go for Walsall to suffer their third home defeat of the early season.
Prediction; 0-1


If you are making the journey to Prenton Park this weekend, they should strike a medal in your honour. I will be with the Home Guard trying to follow the game on the internet.