MATCH PREVIEW: Charlton Athletic vs Southampton - Saturday 22nd November 2025 - 12:30pm Kick-Off

From what I’ve seen going around Southampton socials they’re giving him 3 games from now to see how he does. A lot of Southampton fans don’t want him in charge though a lot of them wants someone more experienced 

Southampton have some decent players who have been very badly managed recently. As said in the excellent preview, they are showing signs of improvement and unfortunately they could well find us in a weak state because of our injuries

I agree, wing back is going to be a major problem for us, so how about Rankin-Costello on the right and Anderson on the left ?.
They are both surely experienced and versatile enough. I'd also play Coventry and Docherty a bit deeper than usual to (hopefully) cover for any defensive weakness

Same old problem in attack, just lack of it. I m o Campbell still infuriates and Tanto is lacking confidence.
IF IF Matty Godden is fit, he starts for me, play him 'til he can run no more !
It's about time Knibbs showed why we signed him. He won't start but .....

For me, if we get a draw, that will be a job well done by a weakened team

panther10 said:

Strange the club been saying the last week or so ,that they are set for a new season high attendance tomorrow ,though only mentioned wensday sold 20,000 plus 

20k plus plus 3k Saints fans is 23k plus so I'd imagine it might make 24k.

A very big game for us ! With the next 2 games being what they are I really think we need 3 points here or we could be looking over our shoulder by next week 

heart says 2-1 head says 1-1

Don’t have a clue about the team, I’m guessing that suits NJ just fine, However people deciding to drop Hernandez for one mistake is pathetic, would rather him over an inexperienced kid,thought we were getting over that type of knee jerk reaction stuff as a fan base, obviously not. 

Tough one tomorrow - them seemingly on the up, and us with players out. We've now had that desperately needed 2-week breather - hopefully we'll look the better for it. Would be great to see Godden back in the matchday squad.

Apter has to start this one. He was in the team before Bree came along & was part of a very good starting 11 over the first few games. 

Really need to get something out of this game, as there are some even tougher fixtures coming up. Typical that the Saints are showing signs of improvement just as we face them. Had Will Still still been around and their squad in complete disarray, I would have fancied a fairly professional win. Can see a draw happening at this current moment... 😬

COYR

. “This 2024/25 season certainly won't be getting any easier“

Luckily it’s the 2025/26 season!

If Burke is fit (big if) don't be surprised to see Ramsay at LWB tomorrow with Apter coming in on the right. It would make for two inverted wingbacks, which would be proper modern and fun. 

What I think the team will be:
.............Kaminski
Ramsay Jones Gillesphey
JRC Coventry Docherty TC
......Knibbs.....Carey
............Leaburn 

Bench: Mannion, Gough, Anderson, Fullah, Berry, Apter, Hernandez, Olaofe, Godden

Only one I have being fit who wasn't fit before is Godden, who takes Bree's place in the squad. I think JRC comes in at RWB because of our need to go attacking on the left. With this formation we'd basically be matching Southampton, as we did against Wrexham who play in a similar manner with two floating behind their striker. I think an attacking trident of Knibbs, Carey, and Leaburn will have more joy than the muted Fullah, Knibbs, and Olaofe did against Wrexham, where they honestly were outmuscled by-and-large. 

Hoping tomorrow is the day we really see why we paid money for JRC and Knibbs in particular. I hope Knibbs playing with Carey off of Leaburn will take some of the aerial responsibilities off of his shoulders and allow him to drift in between the lines and make his runs into the box. We know he has goals in him, he was a bit unlucky to feel so rushed for his chance against Wrexham. But whether it's that, Bristol City or Watford he seems to pop up in good areas. 

Given the 430 am kick off time and that the match is on Paramount+, I'm probably going to sleep in and watch it on a delay. So I'll be avoiding the scoreline until then, which means I'll check back in on the post-match thread.

COYR

I doubt that any of the injured players from the Wrexham game will be fit to start, subject to the severity (or otherwise) of Leaburn's injury - a position exacerbated tomorrow by Bree's absence and Campbell's return from Jamaica.

There must be a chance that JRC will get a run out at right wing-back, particularly as La Scienza, their left winger, is considered Southampton's principal attacking threat, but who knows. Maybe Apter could be accomodated in the left wing back role ?

Vital to take something out of this game - and no reason why we shouldn't - with two tough away games next week.

The other possibility is that if Burke, Bell and Edwards are out until next year and Bree is struggling, NJ may have to risk blooding Gough or Laq, assuming we cannot recall the Mitchells. Having only only 3 fit defenders between now and January would be a disaster.

Will be watching from my lounger in the Maldives, do not like 12:30 kick offs but this one works well, as watching the game at 5:30 pm. Living on the Isle of Wight so really hoping for a win as live amongst many Southampton fans.