Its time for another Big Game, as far as we're concerned anyway. I'm sure than the rest of the footballing world couldn't care less about a relegation battle at the end of October but that's life. What's important to you ain't worth tuppence to anybody else.
But a "Must Win" game? No, course not, its just another chance to get ourselves off the bottom thats all. But, you're guessed already, it wouldn't be easy and the team will need to be at its best to get the win. As for the fans, well, we'll also have to be at our peak. Sorry, but there's just no room for those petty frustrations to get the better of us. We've gotta make a noise that'll be heard right across the capital for the 90 minutes and no matter what happens on the pitch.
In fact we need more of those "plastic" fans that nobody likes. Ship 'em in from anywhere, just make sure they shout, pay 'em if need be. We're got professional footballers, now we need professional fans, those that shout themselves hoarse just because.
So anyway, back to the opposition. The last time we played Watford was a friendly last pre-season - we won 2-1 with goals by Jefferies and Murphy. Well they wouldn't be scoring today. I wonder what price is there on a Chrissie Powell goal?
History
Looking back over time, we lead Watford by 20 wins to 14 with 18 drawn games. And at the Valley it stands at Charlton 14 wins, Watford 4, Draws 8. Last time we played them in the league was back in August 1995 when we won 2-1 through goals by Bowyer and Leaburn. More of the same, please!
Talk the Talk
Monica obviously understands exactly what's in store come tomorrow as he had this to say to the press yesterday - “The match against Watford on Saturday is important. We don’t want to go into it with fear. We must have fire in our bellies and win the physical battles.”
The Opposition
Adrian Boothroyd's side will probably contain another ex-addick or two in Dan Shittu and possibly one other. After Claus Jenson's first game for a year and first goal for even longer, we could now face the awful prospect of seeing Chris Powell in an opposition shirt. If Jenson was our favorite in times gone, what would you call Chrissie Powell?
So anyway who have Watford played so far?
On their travels they've managed a 2-1 defeat at Everton, a 1-0 defeat at Bolton, a 1-1 at Wigan and, most recently, a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.
At home they started with a 1-1 draw with West Ham, then a 2-1 defeat by Manure, a 0-0 against Aston Villa and lastly a 3-3 against Fulham.
So four draws and 4 defeats, not bad exactly for a first year pupil with a Play-Off winning team and until the last two games when they've shipped 6 goals they seemed to be holding up well. Whatever they've changed they'll be trying to get back to holding the opposition and keeping the chances offered to a minimum.
The Addicks
With the need to combat the style of play of Watford we'll need to spread the play and make them work harder. We'll need plenty of tall bodies to combat the aerial threat and plenty of passing ability. And lots of hard work. And there's no room for any half fit players. We'll need Rommedahl and Thomas out wide. We'll need Diawara and El Karkouri in the air. And we need Reid and Faye in midfield.
As for the rest, they almost pick themselves, Carson, Young, Hreidarsson and Darren Bent. Which leaves just the one place up for grabs. Its an important spot because we can't afford to waste anything on Saturday.
So who's it to be? Hasselbaink, Hughes, Marcus Bent, Ambrose, Kish or maybe Pouso? It'll be a battle for sure and I'm not sure that Hasselbaink, Ambrose or even Pouso are suited to battles, so I think it'll be Marcus Bent to add muscle to the attack with Hughes, Kish, Fortune and Myhre on the bench, plus Jimmy-Floyd to scare the opposition.
Predictions
From a man who got 8 Premiership predictions right last weekend we have lawro predicting a 2-1 Home win. Not sure whether that makes me I'm happy or sad. Meanwhile Sporting life also go with a 2-0 home win saying that the pace of Bent and Rommedahl will be crucial. The big apple settles for a conservative 1-1 while Pedro45, seeing that Watford have let in 3 goals in both their last two games, goes overboard with a 3-0 victory for the addicks.
It has to be a Home Win but being a pessimistic Charlton fan it'll probably end 2-2
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