After an extaordinary week – even by Charlton standards – the Addicks head to Hull for their third consecutive away game, looking for their first win since November.
Their task could scarcely be harder, Steve Bruce’s Tigers are fighting for a quick return to the Premier League.
Back in August, the Addicks beat Hull in the most exciting game seen at The Valley this season. Simon Makienok opened the scoring to give Charlton the lead just after the break. Abel Hernandez levelled for the visitors a minute from time, only for Johann Berg Gudmundsson to win it with a stooping header eight minutes into stoppage time.
That win followed an opening day victory over Queens Park Rangers at The Valley. No one would have believed then, that in the five months leading up to the return fixture, the Addicks would only win another two games.
With Jose Riga not yet in the country, Wim de Corte will become the third man to take charge of the Addicks this season, before Riga takes over for next Saturday’s clash with Blackburn.
Jordan Cousins is close to being fit, but may not be risked. Reza Ghoochannejhad is suspended following the red card he picked up at Huddersfield on Tuesday, and Alou Diarra, Ademola Lookman and Patrick Bauer are still sidelined.
Igor Vetokele is likely to continue his comeback with an appearance from the bench, after being rested on Tuesday.
De Corte faces a difficult task in lifting his shell shocked players, and he also has to decide on which system to adopt.
Karel Fraeye used the conservative 4-2-3-1 system for recent games, but played with a 4-1-4-1 shape at Huddersfield. Neither formation protected Charlton’s porous defence.
Stephen Henderson was not at his best on Tuesday, but will probably continue in goal.
Chris Solly, Roger Johnson, Harry Lennon and Morgan Fox are likely to line-up in front of him.
Gudmundsson and Hariott could continue on the flanks, with skipper, Johnnie Jackson, Rhys Williams and Diego Poyet in the engine room.
Ricardo Vaz Te could be the lone front runner.
The Addicks could look like this:
Henderson; Solly, Johnson, Lennon, Fox; Gudmundsson, Poyet, Williams, Jackson, Harriott; Vaz Te.
Subs: Pope, Holmes-Dennis, Sarr, Ba, Moussa, Ahearne-Grant, Makienok.
Richard Clark from Northumberland will be the referee.
It would be a pleasant surprise if the second trip to Yorkshire in four days yields a good result.
The Valley faithful will be pinning their hopes on Riga being able to revive their fortunes when he takes charge next week.
The other clubs scrapping for survival at the bottom of the table also face difficult games. Charlton will be hoping they do not lose ground on them.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic