Introduction
Who would’ve thunked it eh? Three wins on the trot, two clean sheets thrown into the mix and a pensive look upwards to sixth place rather than a nervous look back over the shoulder towards 22nd. Reminiscent of last season, Charlton went up to Burnley and put in a professional, hard-working and professional performance to see off Burnley at Turf Moor for the first time since a last minute winner from David Whyte back in 1996 secured three points.
Wins away from home are all well and good but can it last? Probably not. As such, we need to start picking up maximum points at The Valley and a double-header against Peterborough and this weekend’s opponents Huddersfield provides a perfect platform to really start hoping, if not believing we could be mixing it up towards the top of the table for the rest of the season.
The Team
The capture of Emmanuel Frimpong on loan from our Woolwich neighbours was greeted with more enthusiasm about his catchphrases rather than his footballing ability, but make no bones about it, Frimpong is a decent footballer. He will bring the tenacity, drive and downright nastiness that our midfield has been missing for a number of years. Will he go straight into the team? Maybe not this weekend.
Two clean sheets on the spin should give the back five of Charlton a level of confidence that has been missing for much of this season. There is no doubt that a settled back line, including people playing in their favoured positions and this should continue going into the weekend. The arrival of Frimpong will give Powell a small dilemma, but his lack of game-time is likely to see Stephens return to the fold at the expense of the anonymous Jonsson to partner Jackson in the midfield. Pritchard and Kerkar to occupy the wings as usual.
Yann Kermorgant played a significant role in the U21’s game earlier in the week but you can’t see him being even on the bench before the Millwall game at the earliest and if you combine this with the return of Ricardo Fuller then we are suddenly awash with attacking options all of a sudden. One person guaranteed his place is Danny Haynes who is holding onto his shirt in the best possible way with three goals in three games. Much of this is due to his partnership with Rob Hulse so that should be the partnership up top once again.
We’re going to have the strongest looking bench in a while that’s for sure.
The Opposition
Like us, Huddersfield are very good on the road. They have the fourth best away record, winning half of their games whilst travelling. That being said, the last time they were down in London, they lost 4-0 to a team playing in blue. Sitting just outside the playoffs, our fellow promotioners have adjusted well to the Championship despite losing Jordan Rhodes to Blackburn. With Jermaine Beckford, Lee Novak and James Vaughan to rely on, the Terriers have an obvious attacking threat that the Addicks have to be aware of on Saturday but the midfield and defence are very settled and work very well together.
Prediction
Last year’s game against Huddersfield was one to remember with a great atmosphere and an even better result. The wind is in our sails, it’ll be four wins on the trot and three clean sheets. A dench 2-0 win. Leave it yeah.*
Come on you reds!
*It was always going to happen, come on.
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Comments
He would have been playing a bit or reserve football, and he did start in their game against Villa.
1-0 Charlton. Haynes again.
Or more likely 3 - 1 to Charlton with Fuller coming on late to get the third and save Addick finger nails.
Frimpong gets 4s and 5s in the ratings for "only" winning the ball and passing it 10 yards to a red shirt rather than breaking legs or scoring a screamer from 35 yards.
Yet another home draw: 1-1.
Although both are very winnable games on paper, I'd take 4 points and 27 points before December starts in a shot
I prefer it when the majority fear the worst - we're more likely to get something out of the game then.
like we did against Cardiff.
A good atmosphere with the crowd right behind the team is vital.
Let's not go back to the bad old days of, "We only sing when we're winning".
Red Division will play their part.