Middlesbro´ v Charlton Athletic - FA Cup 6th Round Replay - Preview

A big headline for a big game. Some of our jealous non-Charlton readers would say, ´so what´ its only the FA Cup, they being more in love with Champions League football than the old national favourite. But its still our Number 1 Priority and we can only hope that the players show as much desire as they did in the goalless draw at the Valley.

Make no mistake this is important to everyone at the club and to further stress the difference between ourselves and the ´Big Teams´, we sensibly rest our key players before our Cup matches, not during them.

A point gained on Saturday and a another clean sheet earned against Everton has kept the players confidence high while Newcastle have done us the favour ( albeit by knocking us down one place in the table) of upsetting the happy ambience up at the Riverside. They too rested players so Curbs should have an inkling how they will line-up.

As for the Charlton line-up, barring no last minute injuries Darren Bent should return up front with the rested Powell ready to resume at left-back. Spector will continue at right-back with Hreidarsson and Perry back as the central pair despite Sorondo´s good showing against Everton . Hughes seems a question mark with a minor knock but Kish will be there working his socks off. Holland may be wondering where the captains band is going to be but appears to be after a new contract during the summer. Thomas will be our wide option with Rommedahl probably held in reserve on the bench. There remains what to do about a replacement for Marcus Bent. Some would say that´s not difficult, but if Middlesbro´ come out with a 5 man midfield that it will surely be up to Curbs to keep it tight ( and goalless) with maybe Euell or Ambrose in a congested midfield if Hughes is unfit.

But what can we expect from the home side, Middlesbro´. While we play to our strengths defending well and trying to find our goal-scoring machine with a cross or a through ball, they will play 5 men across the park and try to bore us in a slip-up.

So which way will it go, in the battle of the Riverside versus the Valley?. Currently I can find only one person ready to hazard a guess at tonights result with the usually reliable cynicathletic going for a 2-1 win. But unfortunately the last time we scored 2 goals away from home against Premier opposition was a long time ago, being way back in October. And history, I´m afraid, also seems to be against us with no victories recorded against Middlesbro in the FA Cup in 4 attempts. With their cup achievements in europe giving them the edge we must first ensure that we don´t concede and we in turn will draw on our experience at holding teams at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and St. James Park. The longer it goes goalless the more the game will turn our way. 0-0 at half-time is surely the first objective for Curbs.

I think 1 goal may be enough to snick it, but who is going to score it. It´ll be a close call and I wouldn´t rule out the possibility of a penalty shoot-up to decide the outcome. That´ll suit the papers, no doubt already having written up their ´most boring FA cup-tie´ of all time headline.

So another 0-0 and Hughes to once again get Charlton through on penalties? Stranger things have happened.