Send them packing

Carlisle United make the long trek to the Valley this evening for a League One encounter that Charlton have to win if we are to keep in touch with the play-off places. We have fallen five points behind sixth place MK Dons although we do have four games in hand. If we don't close the gap we look likely to be caught in the chase by Rochdale or Leyton Orient. Yes, Rochdale or Orient, the form sides in the chasing group who, like us, have both played only 30 games. Neither of them are in action this evening.


Carlisle slipped up at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and also failed to beat Exeter City at Brunton Park in the game before that. They are safely mid-table and should be able to play with a bit of freedom this evening so we will need to get at them. They have kept it tight recently with only one goal being scored in each of four of their last five, so we may need patience. With our form this season, it would all seem to point to a 1-0 home win.


I am expecting the home crowd to drop back to the 13-14,000 mark and suspect we will be able to count the visiting fans who will, presumably, be largely London-based. I know one of those but he can't make it this evening (very unconvincing excuse).