Friday, December 08, 2006

A Jol-ly Time of Year

Charlton's next game in this roller coaster of a season is away at White Hart Lane tomorrow, when they take on Spurs.

The game also sees two ex-Spurs players return to North London as key parts of the Charlton team - Luke Young and Andy Reid.

Skipper Young (left) has had a consistent season so far, but that level of play seems to be substantially down on previous recent seasons. Calls have been made for Young to be stripped of the captaincy, as he appears less vocal than many want him to be; he isn't the in-your-face win-at-all-costs loudmouth like John Terry (or Hermann Hreidersson), but does he have to be? How much can a captain influence play on the pitch each week? Sure, we want and need a leader, and Young won the captaincy by being a prime example of how a limited player can become very important through outright consistency, at a high level, week in, week out. Luke needs to raise his game to that of his profile (opening shops etc), and then we will see Charlton start to win more games again.

The opposite could be true of Reid. Our little Irishman has been getting better and better since his switch this summer. Spurs really didn't get the best out of him, playing him wide left, when he is much more use playing centrally (as he did at Forest). Two goals in the last three games, and plenty of recent man-of-the-match awards have boosted Reid's standing, and that as his waistline reduces should see him shine once more tomorrow.

Our esteemed leader - the other Reed, Les (left) - is unlikely to make many changes from the team that beat Blackburn on Tuesday, although it is doubtful Traore will be fit so soon after leavng the pitch with a hamstring strain. The only question is whether he plays Lloyd Sam from the start, or opts for the bigger, more experienced Marcus Bent. I think that New York Addick probably has it right this week in his preview, when saying that as Spurs are a generally big side, the better option could be to play Big Bent from the outset. Lloyd shouldn't be disappointed though, as I'm sure he will get his chance later in the game, and he could play a big part in matches either side of Xmas.

This is the team I expect Les to pick -

Scott Carson
Like Young
Talal el Karkouri
Souleymane Diawara
Hermann Hreidersson
Amady Faye
Radostin Kishishev
Bryan Hughes
Andy Reid
Marcus Bent
Darren Bent


Subs - probably Myrhe, Fortune, Holland, Rommedahl, Sam, with Ambrose, Sankofa, and Ashton also travelling.

My one-to-watch tomorrow is going to be between Carson and Dazza; Little Benty is due a goal or two, and does quite like playing against Spurs, having scored twice against them last season. A score from him and it would really start to look as if Charlton will be on the rise over coming weeks. However, the one I'm going to want to see a big game from is Scott Carson, who, with Charlton's defence still looking less than watertight, will need to be at the top of his game to keep out the Spurs forwards, and particularly Robbie Keane.

Pedro45's score prediction almost came true on Tuesday, but I was very happy when the Elk scored! This match I think is one that Charlton will be more than happy to take anything from, and I don't think they will - I predict a 3-0 defeat. I expect it to be better than recent matches though, and hope to see some extended effort from the team. I just think that Spurs are getting it right about now, and a few of their players will be too good for some of ours (especially in midfield).

I hope I'm wrong though, as a point will be good, and a win would be great!

Come on you reds!

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