The Introduction
Harold Wilson, a Huddersfield fan, once said that a week is a long time in politics. Seven, or even three, days can be the difference between doom and gloom and unbridled optimism in football and nowhere more than in SE7 these days.
Preview Towers likes to take the advice of another great philosopher, Llewellyn Curbishley, who would often remind us not to get too high with the highs and not too low with the lows.
The Opposition
Nottingham (never Notts) Forest come to the Valley buoyed by a 6 - 1 thrashing of Mr Wilson's old side but that was their first win for over a month. New manager Billy "I'm too rude to bother returning a phone call when I've been offered a job as a Premiership manager" Davies will hope that he can restore confidence in a Forest side that has been in or around the play-offs for most of the season. Others will point out just how poor Huddersfield have been in some recent games.
Given the result the Tricky Trees are likely to field the same side which will mean Valley returns for Greg Halford and Andy Reid. We will stick our neck out and say that the latter will get a better reception than the former. The now tubby rather than fat Irishman continues to pull the strings in midfield and is a goal threat from set pieces and open play.
The Line Up
The truism is "don't change a winning side" but Danny Haynes made a strong case for The Addicks starting with 4 - 4- 1 - 1 rather than the 4 -5 -1 that kicked off at the Walkers Bowl The King Power Stadium. The switch to this line up produced instant results and Chris Powell must be tempted to give his flying forward a full game.
The Addicks certainly looked more compact and resistant with Pritchard, Wagstaff and Dervite added at Leicester. Will SCP drop one of these or JJ or Dale to make room for Haynes or even Fuller? A lot will depend on how Chris plans to stop Reid et al rather than just who is available or playing well so expect another 4-5-1 but perhaps with Haynes wide.
The back five pick themselves now that Wiggins has returned. Very hard on Evina but Rhoys seems to be the preferred option when fully fit.
The Prediction
Goals galore but only one point so as to keep the moaners happy. 3 - 3.
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Comments
Bit of a topsy-turvy one
Heart says 2-1 Charlton
A rare goal for Solly
Kermorgant
Reid
FT 3-3
We need to close him down quickly and hopefully he'll run out of gas before our lads do!
I'll settle for avoiding defeat given our indifferent home form.
3-0 Addicks!