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Friday, September 08, 2006

Chelsea preview

I'll be paying 50p a minute to watch Charlton at the Bridge, whether that is a good investment remains to be seen. However, our record away at Chelsea has not been that bad. Leaving aside last year's 'technical' victory in the Carling Cup, the Addicks have won there twice in the Premiership and drawn there once (again last year with Marcus Bent scoring our goal). On three other occasions we lost only by one goal, but there is a 4-1 tonking in the sequence.

In an interview in The Guardian Iain Dowie does not underestimate the challenge he faces. Dowie said although his side will aim to return from Stamford Bridge tomorrow with all three points he cannot help but be concerned in the build
up to the game. 'You've got to worry about them, you wouldn't be doing your job if you didn't worry,' he said. 'Should I do this? Should I do that? Is this right? Is that wrong? You mull it over 50 times but when you come in front of the players it looks like you absolutely know what you're talking about.' Let's hope so.

Dowie is hoping that Darren Bent will score, but key to the Charlton performance tomorrow will be the contribution of the midfield, both in providing a platform for attack and preventing Chelsea from launching too many attacks. The exact shape and composition of the midfield is difficult to predict but I think this is an occasion for using Rommedahl to unsettle the Chelsea defence. Although there is an attraction in seeing Hasselbaink score against his former club, I would keep him on the bench and start with a 4-5-1. However, the indications from the club are that 4-4-2 will prevail.

Fresh from his under 21 experience, the impressive Scott Carson will remain in goal. Young looks fit to play on the right with Traore on the left. Our most expensive defensive signing, Diawara, will presumably play in central defence, probably partnered by El K, whom I regard as not as reliable as one would like in that position.

Reid will surely retain his position on the left in midfield and Pouso must be preferred over the workmanlike Hughes. That leaves Faye, Rommedahl and Ambrose in contention for the remaining two places. Kishishev will probably be on the bench.

I will be taking a young Spainard tomorrow who has been following Charlton for years from Madrid, but has not seen the team play, so let us hope they don't disappoint, Our dog reporters have sorted out their problems with The Observer having last time ended up with a sub who couldn't cope with the barking down the phone. Hopefully, this time their assessment will appear in Sunday's paper.

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