CHARLTON ATHLETIC Founded: 1905 Ground: The Valley Capacity: 27,111 Nickname: The Addicks Manager: Bob Peeters Current league position: 6th (W2 D3 L0) Last season: 18th Charlton have started the season well and, along with Nottingham Forest, remain unbeaten in the league. Despite facing two tough encounters at home, the Addicks have taken maximum home points after wins against Wigan Athletic and Derby County. Bob Peeters took over a Charlton side in the summer that has seen a lot of change in the past year, including a change in ownership. Much like Watford, an influx of players followed and they have pushed on from last season’s relegation survival. A 3-1 victory against the Hornets in their final home game ensured at least another season in the Championship. Peeters typically sets his side up to play a fairly rigid 4-4-2 with experienced pairing Andre Bikey-Amougou and Tal Ben Haim at the back, Jonnie Jackson commanding the midfield and new signing Igor Vetokele causing havoc up front. Team in the last league match (Brighton [A] ~ 2-2): Henderson Solly | Ben Haim | Bikey-Amougou | Wiggins Gudmundsson | Buyens | Jackson | Cousins Vetokele | Tucudean. Subs: Wilson, Morrison, Moussa, Harriott, Church, Fox, Pope. WATFORD FC The Hornets are back in action after what always seems like a long international break. Since the Hornets secured a battling 4-2 victory at home against Huddersfield Town, a lot has changed. Beppe Sannino resigned as Head Coach, while Gian Luca Nani left his post as Technical Director. Former Brighton manager Oscar Garcia is the latest Pozzo pick to guide Watford to the Premier League, and Luke Dowling replaces Nani taking up the new role of Sporting Director. Garcia is set to walk out of the tunnel at The Valley to 3,000+ travelling Hornets in his first match in charge. Before the international break, though, Watford picked up 12 points from a possible 15 and are currently sitting second in the table and could go top with a win as leaders Nottingham Forest do not play until Sunday - although it is too early in the season to be thinking about league positions, in my opinion. Team in the last league match (Huddersfield Town [H] ~ 4-2W): Gomez Tamas | Ekstrand | Angella Anya | Abdi | Tozser | Munari | Pudil Forestieri | Deeney Subs: Andrews, Parades, Vydra, Dyer, Ighalo, Bond, Hoban. Vs. Charlton Athletic Watford fans have good reason to make the short trip to the other side of the River Thames as they hold a decent record against Charlton this century. The Hornets have lost just once in the last five meetings at The Valley, and two in the last 10 in total – both coming in the last three games, though. Looking further back tells you that the Addicks have a slight advantage in the 62 league ties played between the two sides. Head-to-Head Charlton Home League Wins = 15 Charlton Away League Wins = 7 Charlton Total League Wins = 22 League Draws at Charlton = 10 League Draws at Watford = 13 Total League Draws = 23 Watford Home League Wins = 11 Watford Away League Wins = 6 Watford Total League Wins = 17 Key Men Charlton Athletic Summer signing Igor Vetokele was awarded the Championship Player of the Month Award after scoring five goals in as many appearances. The striker was signed from FC Copenhagen in the summer and has immediately made an impact in England. Shutting out Vetokele will go a long way towards Watford getting a positive result. Watford FC Among a number of players that could be picked as the key man, Daniel Tozser is the pick of the bunch this time. The Hungarian has registered three assists and a goal this season and has broken up play tremendously well so far this season. In a game where Watford may look to counter, Tozser’s ability to turn defence into attack could be decisive. How to get there By car From the M25 The easiest way to get to The Valley by car is to use the A2, accessed from junction two of the M25 (those heading south via the M1, A1 or M11 should head clockwise on the M25, signposted 'Dartford Crossing'). Heading into London along the A2, the dual carriageway becomes the A102M - the approach road to the Blackwall Tunnel. Leave at the junction after the A2 exit and take the right-hand exit at the roundabout - the A206 Woolwich Road. After the major set of traffic lights at Anchor and Hope Lane and Charlton Church Lane, travel around second roundabout and take the last exit to drive back on yourself. Then take the first left into Charlton Lane. Cross the railway line and continue up the road, then right into Harvey Gardens. The stadium is on the left. Access to Floyd Road and Harvey Gardens is restricted on matchdays. Via the South Circular Follow the A205 South Circular Road to Woolwich and turn left into the Woolwich Road at the roundabout for the free ferry. You should then turn left into Charlton Lane and proceed as described in the previous information above. From central London From north of The Thames, take the A102 through the Blackwall Tunnel. Come off at the second junction and take the first exit at the roundabout. Go along the A206 Woolwich Road as above. Parking at the ground Free parking is usually available at the ground but access on matchdays is restricted to permit holders. In many roads around The Valley there are restrictions in force. Yellow lines apply at weekends, as well as weekdays, and most parking bays are free - except around the railway station. The use of some of the bays, however, is suspended on matchdays. Restrictions are vigorously enforced, and local retail car parks operate a clamping policy. The club recommends using public transport whenever practical. Train and Tube services Southeastern runs train services to the railway station at Charlton, from central London in the west and north Kent to the east. The station is a short walk from the ground. Frequent services depart from Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge, with limited departures Cannon Street. Some services come through Dartford continue to Charlton, while connections for others can be made at Blackheath, Lewisham and London Bridge. A previous limited service from Victoria no longer operates and fans heading to The Valley from Victoria need to change at either Lewisham or Blackheath. The Docklands Light Railway from East London connects with rail services from Greenwich and Lewisham to Charlton, while the Jubilee Line underground station at North Greenwich is a short bus ride from The Valley. Travelling by bus Numerous bus routes serve the ground. They include the 53 (Plumstead, Woolwich, Blackheath, New Cross, central London), the 54 (Lewisham, Catford, Beckenham, Elmers End) and the 161 (Chislehurst, Mottingham, Eltham, Woolwich, North Greenwich). Others are the 177 (Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, Greenwich, New Cross, Peckham), the 180 (Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, Greenwich, Lewisham), the 422 (Bexleyheath, Welling, Plumstead, Blackheath, North Greenwich), the 472 (Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, North Greenwich), and the 486 (Bexleyheath, Welling, Shooters Hill and North Greenwich). These services discharge passengers on the A206 Woolwich Road, or in Charlton Village, both a five-minute walk from the ground.
Think we need to set up for pace on the break for this one, as they will control a lot of the game! Vydra time.
Aside from Jonnie Jackson and Igor Vetokele, I don't actually rate most of the Charlton team. I think they're this season's team that shoots up the table at the beginning but plateaus a couple of months in. I'm sure I'll end up regretting saying that, but I think we should win this. Hornets to bring them back down to earth with a bump in front of 3000 fans. 1-2.
Last time I went to Charlton I was mullered on Gillespie's from somewhere in London bridge and I think we lost three nil, mid 90's ?
I'm going draw. We've been lucky so far and with the new manager uncertainty it'll be hard to pull off an away win.
It's a cheery little song but Honeymoon manager and 3000 hornets are going to sting the hoppy robin to death. 3-1 Hornets
It`s very much a blur , i cant believe looking back i even got in , i do seem to remember we were in one of those temporary stand type things?
christ , nearly 20 years to the day , i feel old http://www.11v11.com/teams/charlton-athletic/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Watford
Ah - Roeder's second season. I remember we were well beaten that day, but had a pretty good season. Think the match the year before (lost 1-2) was Craig Ramage's debut when we just avoided relegation.
1-3 win - Deeney, Abdi and an own goal. This game will go one of two ways; everyone will be out to impress the new manager and we will be firing on all four cylinders from the off, or we will be sh*t and the fans will be singing for Sannino all game.
I'd say this was the biggest test for us so far. Not because of who we are playing but for the changes in the club. I'm hoping Garcia sticks with the 3-5-2 attacking game or sets up for the counter. 2-0 Watford win. Deeney x 2.
Seems likely to me that Garcia has come in with a task of playing 352; it seems the Pozzos want an alignment of formation across the clubs where possible, which makes it easier to move players around and recruit accordingly. 352 wasn't Beppe's preferred formation but he stuck with 352. I'm guessing it will be the same with Garcia.
Can't wait, one of the best away days in the Championship. Anyone else seen Watford play away in the league to Charlton at three different grounds?
After barely scraping through against Hemel in the last round, I think OG must win this one comprehensively otherwise its sayonara amigo Shame as I thought he was really starting to galvanise the crowd
Yes I saw us at Selhurst Park in October 1990 in one of our few wins under Colin Lee; at Upton Park in April 92, I think we drew; and once at the new Valley in 1995(?) I think.
Gomes Tamas Ekstrand Angella Anya Dyer Andrews Tozser Abdi Vydra Deeney Hornets set up to counter attack. Win 2-0. Deeney (Pen), Vydra
Sorry but with Anya and Dyer as wing backs we'll get ****ed on down the wings. Paredes or Pudil for one of them
