Chelsea Preview

After the enforced break for our growing squad of internationals to wave the flag, or in Darrens case, to sit idly on the bench, its now back to the Premier grind with another difficult game for the Addicks on Saturday as we trundle down the Kings Road to face Russian side Chelski.

Unbeaten during our 2 games last season at Stamford Bridge, it would appear that we have some sort of an Indian sign over Chelski at the moment, but with Shevchenko and Ballack strengthing the Blues, its pretty obvious that Monica will be placing no reliance on these last 2 performances.

However, looking back for a moment, we can be very proud of what we achieved in those two games at the Bridge which of course included our Carling Cup victory in October where Chelski were put out of the cup on penalties but somehow not actually beaten according to some at the ground. Seems defeat to "small" clubs can be hard to swallow sometimes. This "defeat", of course, has been the only one suffered by Chelski at home since the God took over in June 2004.

To add to the annoyance that the Blessed One must feel towards us is the fact that we returned in January for the league game and earned a point in a 1-1 draw. This of course spoiled their 100% home record and turned out to be the only time that Chelski failed to pick up all 3 points at Stamford Bridge all season. So he has a few scores to settle then.

The league encounter saw Chelski fall asleep during the second half, thinking that their one first half goal was enough to beat us. But with our 5 man midfield we held our own. Marcus Bent, on his Charlton debut, it was that headed the equaliser half-an-hour from the end and Darren Ambrose could even have won it for us at the death sending his shot just over.

HISTORY
Total Played:64 Won:22 Draw:16 Loss:26

The Bridge: Won:10 Draw:7 Loss:15

In the long history of our games against the illustrious Chelsea we have nearly held our own, with probably the most famous game being in May 1988, when a famous 1-1 draw at the Bridge kept us out of the Division One Play-offs and condemned Chelsea to play them. As a consequence, of course, Chelsea were relegated!

In the last 13 games against them, including the cup game, we have won 6, drawn 1 and lost 6, so all square then! But as the money's been flowing out of the Bridge so the results have been getting worst as far as we are concerned. The four games played since Jose took over has seen us only manage one draw and 3 defeats.

While there may be some of us holding faint thoughts of continuing our recent luck we have to remember that so far this season with our new Head Coach, things have not panned out as expected. Surprises against Bolton and upsets against the Hammers are not the usual things we expect. If Monica has a habit of turning History upside down, what of the Form Book.

Well, this doesn't do us any favours, as it points out that we haven't enjoyed back-to-back Premiership victories for a year (37 matches). The Addicks have not won in 15 League games on the road, losing the last four and a defeat to Chelsea would make this our worst ever start to a Premier League campaign. The good news is that Chelski have won their last 8 home games, its got to stop sometime!

Talk The Talk

The Sporting Life quotes our man as saying "I am expecting to go there and be very competitive. I think the 11 players I will have out there are going to be able to cope with Chelsea."

The Opposition
Chelski's last game saw a 2-0 victory away to Blackburn. Their midfield was Essien, Ballack and Lampard and up-front they had new-boys Shevchenko and Kalou. A frightening prospect, perhaps, but the reports spoke of a lack-lustre performance, a crowded midfield and little width. In their only home game, a 3-0 win against Man. City, they used both wingers Wright-Phillips and Robben but had no Ballack in midfield, so we can probably expect Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Robben, Shevchenko and Kalou.

The Addicks
So much for the pre-amble, what will the team be?

With HH out it'll presumably be a in-the-deep-end debut for our new boy Diawara from Sochaux. Who will feature alongside him is open to debate. After some anonymous performances Amady Faye played an hour against Bolton in the back four and looked as he belonged there. So Faye or El Karkouri?

Presumably Young will have recovered from his travel sickness on Wednesday and he and Traore should be the fullbacks. The forward line speaks for itself which as always leaves the midfield open to interpretion. Everyone will have their own idea as to its make-up but Pouso and Reid are obvious ones to make the starting line-up, assuming Pouso has arrived match-fit which is unknown.

The other 2 midfield places will illustrate the managements thinking and on which will surely depend any possible success. It could be Kish, Faye, Rommedahl, Holland or Hughes and maybe Ambrose if he's recovered from his "groin niggle" that kept him out of the England U-21 team.

Predictions

The world famous lawro of course gives us no hope and has it down as a 2-0 home win.

While valley floyd james gets rather more ambitious and goes for a draw or a 1-0 Addicks win.

My team

Carson, Young, Diawara, Faye, Traore, Kish, Reid, Pouso, Ambrose, Jimmy-Floyd and Darren Bent.
And a Prediction of a 2-0. Defeat, that is.