I am really looking forward to tomorrow's home game against Birmingham, although I join the Valley mood of trepidation.
No logical reason to fear a side who have won only two games all season, even if one of them was at Millwall in the week. However, after our backs-to-the-wall victory against the head at table-toppers Norwich, we face an archetypal Charlton Athletic problem. Time and again throughout our history we have proven unable to capitalise on moments like these.
However, I am slightly more hopeful that we can buck the trend. To nail-on a surprise defeat we usually need to be sure of a bumper gate. There's nothing quite so sure as us sending home several thousand returning fans with a naff performance to remind them why they stopped coming last time. I'm not expecting Saturday's gate to pick up on the 16000 that were there for Boro. That might need us to go top or be top at Christmas!
Lee Clark is not universally popular at Birmingham and he has had his budget slashed given the ownership turmoil at St. Andrews. His team contains many unfamiliar names, although Darren Randolph should be welcomed back to the Valley in goal. One former Addick who will not play is Jonathan Spector who is out injured. Spector is one of the remaining ex-Premiership Charlton players still in the game although I am guessing he has his eyes on the clock.
For our part we have a bit of re-shuffling to do. Tal Ben Haim will miss the match because of his decision to observe Yom Kippur. I expect to see an eager Michael Morrison out-jumping and out-charging everyone else in the box in his place. Gudmundsson is still recovering from injury so we should see Lawrie Wilson charging down the right flank. Wilson should be supported by Chris Solly as it's a Saturday but also because Joe Gomez has a knock. I understand that George Tucudean also has an injury, so Igor will probably be playing with Bulot or Moussa unless BP opts for a five man midfield.
I will be looking for a stronger and more dominating performance first and foremost. If we do that the result should follow. COME ON YOU REDS!!!
No logical reason to fear a side who have won only two games all season, even if one of them was at Millwall in the week. However, after our backs-to-the-wall victory against the head at table-toppers Norwich, we face an archetypal Charlton Athletic problem. Time and again throughout our history we have proven unable to capitalise on moments like these.
However, I am slightly more hopeful that we can buck the trend. To nail-on a surprise defeat we usually need to be sure of a bumper gate. There's nothing quite so sure as us sending home several thousand returning fans with a naff performance to remind them why they stopped coming last time. I'm not expecting Saturday's gate to pick up on the 16000 that were there for Boro. That might need us to go top or be top at Christmas!
Lee Clark is not universally popular at Birmingham and he has had his budget slashed given the ownership turmoil at St. Andrews. His team contains many unfamiliar names, although Darren Randolph should be welcomed back to the Valley in goal. One former Addick who will not play is Jonathan Spector who is out injured. Spector is one of the remaining ex-Premiership Charlton players still in the game although I am guessing he has his eyes on the clock.
For our part we have a bit of re-shuffling to do. Tal Ben Haim will miss the match because of his decision to observe Yom Kippur. I expect to see an eager Michael Morrison out-jumping and out-charging everyone else in the box in his place. Gudmundsson is still recovering from injury so we should see Lawrie Wilson charging down the right flank. Wilson should be supported by Chris Solly as it's a Saturday but also because Joe Gomez has a knock. I understand that George Tucudean also has an injury, so Igor will probably be playing with Bulot or Moussa unless BP opts for a five man midfield.
I will be looking for a stronger and more dominating performance first and foremost. If we do that the result should follow. COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Dave, you mirror my own feelings we rarely deliver when we should. Think back to the promotion season when we entertained Swindon.....a home banker if ever there were one. Lost 1-0 to goal scored as a result of the ball bouncing back off the post, hitting Kiely and going in ! If we don't lose expect a certain person in the away dug out to turn green with envy as our unbeaten run continues!
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