Home draw specialists against Barcodes?

We've only lost once at home to Newcastle in the Premiership, but we've drawn four times and won only twice. And in our present situation only a win will do.

Newcastle will be coming to The Valley on the back of being knocked out of the Uefa Cup in which, by all accounts, they played well below their usual standard. Manager Roeder was ranting about their defence on Radio 5 this morning. They could be demoralised by their defeat or they could try and bounce back.

We certainly need an attacking formation against them. The rumours I hear are that there may be one or two surprises in the lineup. Let's hope they're not unpleasant ones, particularly involving Darren Bent.

Leamington are at home to Studley tomorrow and we can confidently predict that this will be the only Charlton blog carrying a match report.