So this is what we are, given our usual hasty exit from the cup, concentrating on from now until May.
Depending on whether you see the glass as half full or half empty we are only 7 points from a play-off charge or hovering a mere 8 points away from the drop. The transfer window remains ajar but there is little indication of movement in or out of the Valley. Yet. In the meantime Charlton have some games to play.
The Opposition
How tempting it must be for writers to describe the ups and downs at the seaside club as a "rollercoaster ride" but we at Preview Towers forgo such cliches. Losing one manager (Holloway) this season can be described as bad luck but it seems Michael Appleton may also jump ship which can only be seen as carelessness.
Quite what the Blackpool board are doing wrong isn't clear. The squad has some stars in Ince, Thomas, Taylor-Fletcher and the Philips twins Matt and Kevin. Yet Blackpool sit only one point and one place above the Addicks. They have drawn a lot of recent games while their 8 wins are evenly split between home and away turf.
They rely heavily on the goals and assists of the supposedly Anfield bound Ince but lets not forget that goals from Cort and Solly helped Charlton win 2 - 0 in the reverse fixture. The 'Pool haven't won in four either.
The Line up
No one who played in the Cup game will have any right to knock of Chris Powell's door demanding a starting place on the back of their performance unless they are David Button and even he seems very unlikely to displace Hamer.
Solly will return at RB (or tongues will really start wagging) and Wilson to RM. Evina seems secure at LB with Wiggins still rusty after only 60 mins game time midweek. The central partnership that served us so well for most of last season, Morrison and Taylor appears the only option with Dervite suspended, Cort injured and Mambo out on loan. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, is the reserve CH on the bench. The young Irish lad Feeley could get the nod if only as he is older than Semi Ajayi.
Pritchard and Stephens seem likely to be the central pairing with Jackson on the left. But Powell has pulled so many surprises in recent weeks who knows? Who's turn it is out of Green, Cooke and Wagstaff to be unused sub isn't sure.
Upfront Kermongant with Fuller if fit or BWP if not.
The Prediction.
It's easy to let the Cup performance allow you to see only the negatives but before that we had pulled off a great win at Watford and a hard fought draw v Derby.
Blackpool like a draw, we can't win at home so 1 - 1 it is
NB Once again Blackpool are our guests as we hold the annual tribute to Addicks we have lost over the past 12 months. If memory serves we won that one 4 - 1. Please get to your seats early to show your respects.
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Comments
it's a Saturday.
we're at home.
I'll go for a very nervous 2-1 home win. Morrison and Jackson with the goals for us. I'm also hoping to see one new face in the squad.
1-2 loss my prediction
and the call for us to find some imaginary money to improve this depleted and tired looking squad
Do they know something I don't?
I'll be happy to avoid defeat ecstatic with anything better.
Wilson
Fuller
Law of averages dictates that we're overdue a home win on a Saturday.
Scrape home with a nervous nailbiting last 5 minutes.
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Forecasters are warning that a rare change in the upper atmosphere known as Sudden Stratospheric Warming will leave every part of the UK at risk of snow.