A run of three home games in a week gave the new Valley pitch a thorough workout. The Addicks now have a break of three weeks before they play on home soil again.
Prior to that though, they face three away games in a week before the international break. First up will be Huddersfield on Saturday.
Charlton travelled to the John Smith’s Stadium three times last season. The first visit was for a Capital One Cup game in August. It would have come as something of a culture shock for the foreign players after the match, when they enjoyed fish and chips on the coach, supplied by the chip shop on Leeds Road.
Huddersfield have had a difficult start to the season, losing their first two games. Bournemouth beat them 4-0 at the John Smith’s on the opening day of the season and the Terriers then succumbed to Cardiff.
The Bournemouth defeat cost Mark Robins his job. For once, the opposition chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ proving to be correct.
Chris Powell has been mentioned as a leading contender to succeed Robins but Mark Lillis will continue in temporary charge on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Huddersfield travelled to the Madejski and recorded a surprising 2-1 victory over Reading.
The Addicks are confident and in good form. They have injury concerns about Stephen Henderson and George Tucudean but both are likely to be fit enough to travel and be available options for Bob Peeters.
Peeters gave Nick Pope public support after his difficult game against Derby and said the former Bury Town stopper would feature on Saturday. If Henderson has recovered from his hamstring niggle though, the Irishman is likely to be recalled.
Chris Solly will probably come back in place of the impressive Joe Gomez, and warranted there has been no serious reaction from his ankle, Rhoys Wiggins will continue on the left side of defence.
The formidable duo of Tal Ben Haim and Andre Bikey will form the central defensive barrier.
The midfield quartet of Johann Gudmundsson, Yoni Buyens, Johnnie Jackson and Jordan Cousins are set to continue.
Tucudean and Igor Vetokele – fitness permitting – will continue up front.
Charlton could start with this team:
Henderson; Solly, Ben Haim, Bikey, Wiggins; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Tucudean, Vetokele.
Subs: Pope, Fox, Morrison, Wilson, Moussa, Harriott, Church.
Tim Robinson will travel from West Sussex to take charge of the game.
Peeters came desperately close to recording his first away win in England at Brentford and will be hoping to go one better on Saturday.
Huddersfield Town v Charlton Ath Preview
Written by Chris Thompson
Friday, 22 August 2014 08:00
Friday, 22 August 2014 08:00
TAGS: Charlton Athletic