Preview Towers was going to shut down this Thursday to enjoy a day in the pub, as our disciples have been gearing up for Monday night’s game against Huddersfield since the victory over Brentford with a multitude of comments. Our opponents on Monday have not been defeated in League One competition since a heart wrenching play-off capitulation against Peterborough in last season’s final and it is something Lee Clark and his team will be hoping to not experience again by finishing in at least second place come May.
It is testament to the start that Charlton have had, that despite the run that Huddersfield are on, the Addicks will start December at least two points clear at the summit regardless of Monday’s result. Our past meetings in League One at The Valley have been entertaining affairs in the past two years, a late Joey Gudjonsson winner last year gave the Terriers a somewhat underserved three points last year whilst Sam Sodje and Izale McLeod snatched a 2-1 win for Parkinson’s team back in 2009.
In front of Sky, the best home attack (2.63 goals per game), goes up against the best away defence (0.67 goals conceded per game) and best away attack (2 goals per game) combined. The cameras will be hoping that an open game with plenty of chances ensues, and with the quality of players possessed by both sides there’s no reason it will not pan out that way. Much of the talk in the lead up to the game has been regarding the qualities of two of the top marksman in the league in the shape of Bradley Wright-Phillips and Jordan Rhodes, yet we get the feeling that both of these players could be overshadowed by an unsung hero coming to the fore under the floodlights on the 28th.
Chris Powell will have to learn how to spell a new name as he fills out his teamsheet against Huddersfield, having received news early in the week that captain and goalscorer Johnnie Jackson will be absent for “a number of weeks” with a hamstring injury. It would seem Hogan Ephraim is the most likely replacement on the left, although the likes of Cedric Evina and Scott Wagstaff can all offer something on that side depending on the approach we adopt. Matt Taylor will lead the team out of the tunnel and his four other mates in the back five will follow him having established a formidable wall in the past three months. Danny Green has been speaking this week how he has been “banging goals in in training” and he will be chomping at the bit to get his first league goal for the Addicks in front of the Monday Night Football crowd, but we’d be happy with a couple of assists for Big Yann and/or BWP who will start up front.
A game has not been as highly anticipated down in SE7 for some time, yet we need to remember it is just another game in a very long season. A win will send a message, a defeat will give hope to others and a draw will maintain the status quo. Unfortunately, come 10pm on Monday, we’ll not be rocking all over the world, but we will be content. 2-2.
Come on you reds!!
Comments
0-0 and hopefully Sky never darken the Valleys door again.
4-2
either way!
3-1
Ephraim playing to impress not only his new loan club but also Colin Wanker watching on TV at home.
2-0 with BWP & Ephraim on his debut.
1-0 kermorgant 79'
similar game to home to leeds 09/10 season
1-0 victory, OG by Rhodes, ball bounces in off his Scottish heed from an inswinging corner.
3-1 to us scoring a injury time 3rd on the breakaway after 20 mins of Huddersfield battering us looking for an equaliser. Goals from Morrison,Kermit and Waggy in injury time.
Have to say the loss of JJ is a big blow.
I would have predicted a win prior to his injury but now I'm definately less certain........fancy a draw to be honest.