Blackburn Preview

The aim at the start of the season was to make a real push for one of the lower European places. Midway through the season that goal was still semi-attainable, but as the sun begins to set on 2005/06, all that is left for Charlton is the slight possibility that we could still achieve a top half finish.

After the Reebok debacle last weekend it looked very much like 10th place was beyond us, but West Ham lost at home to Liverpool in midweek, and with their upcoming games being WBA away (fighting for their lives), and Tottenham at home (a week before the FA Cup Final), perhaps a Charlton win against Blackburn this weekend might just be enough to lift us above the Hammers. It wouldn't mask the problems that we have both at the club and within the squad, but it would certainly shed a little positive light, and bring some cheer to a fanbase which seems almost apathetic about the future right now.

Blackburn arrive in SE7 still harbouring dreams of European qualification through their league position. A few weeks ago their fans were already dusting off the passports in anticipation, but it's all up in the air now after a Charltonesque end of season collapse. They haven't won in their last four games, and with Chelsea next on the list for them, a win at The Valley is almost a necessity if they are going to cling on to their 6th place in the Premiership.

The danger men on Saturday will be Morten-Gamst Pedersen down the flanks, and motor-mouth Craig Bellamy up front; between them they have scored 27 goals so far this season, and Rovers have only failed to find the net in one of their last 10 Premiership encounters.
The main doubt for them ahead of the game is regarding the fitness of their Captain, and Charlton old boy Andy Todd. He injured a knee in Blackburn’s last game against Birmingham and must wait to see whether he requires surgery.

From Charlton's point of view, Curbishley has responded to the news that tactical genius Scolari may have been offered the England post by executing a tactical masterstroke of his own. Kevin Lisbie has been recalled from his loan spell at Derby. I expect he will be on the bench for this one, probably coming on late in the second half to record a double hattrick.

Don't forget that the kick off is at 5:15 due to the match being on pay per view, and what looks likely to be a sell-out crowd is set to be entertained pre match by pop group Amici Forever, as well as all of the usual end of season presentations. I thought I remembered reading somewhere that Richard Murray was going to be addressing the crowd live on the pitch after the match, but I've had a quick look around and I can't find the link for wherever I saw that. We'll just have to wait and see what, if anything, he has to say.

Cynic Athletic's Prediction - 6-0 Win (Lisbie (6))