vs 
Manchester City. 3:00pm 4th November 2006
The Valley
Since Promotion(2002/03)
Home P:4 W:2 D:1 L:1 F: 8 A: 4 Pts: 7
Away P:4 W:2 D:2 L:0 F:12 A: 6 Pts: 8
Total P:8 W:4 D:3 L:1 F:20 A:10 Pts:15
If ever there was an away game City could bank on, this would be it. City have found the Valley a happy hunting ground in recent years and have not lost there since the opening game of the 00/01 season. However City’s away form has been nothing short of dire this season, with a single point from their first five games they are relying on their fortress like home form to maintain a mid table spot. Charlton on the other hand have been poor both home and away, without a win since August and lying dead last in the table. They have managed 0-0 draws in their last two league games, but it is not the sort of form that should have City running scared.
Manchester City.
There is a real Jekyyl and Hyde story with Manchester City this season, at home they have been unbeatable and in fact, the City goal has yet to be breached at all. Away from home has been an alltogether different story, with one point from a possible fifteen and leaking a landslide thirteen goals. They have not kept a single clean sheet on the road and the previous trip to the JJB will be etched in the minds of all eleven players who take the field on Saturday. However, the response last Monday was one of pure passion, Richard Dunne proving himself every bit the captain City fans had hoped and leading from the front, not only shutting down Yakubu, but also providing the game winning goal. Stuart Pearce giving a first start to DaMarcus Beasley seems to have worked as well, with the young American providing some much needed balance to a City midfield that has looked more and more makeshift in previous weeks.
Stuart Pearce must also be pleased with the return of Claudio Reyna, Ben Thatcher, Hatem Trabelsi and Darius Vassell who, if not first choice at the moment, certainly did their chances of a game on Saturday no harm with their performances. With Andreas Isaksson, Nedum Onuoha and Ousmane Dabo nearing full fitness, Pearce will have options available that have been denied him since the start of the season.
It is however, the same old story for City, whereby they must address their consistancy and their ability to back up a result from one week to the next. The last time they managed back-to-back wins was almost an entire year ago in a blistering start to a season that faded badly. With a win on Saturday, they have an opportunity to move into the top half and a possible nine point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone.
City Star – Richard Dunne.
The City captain responded to a woeful performance at Wigan with a passionate and determined display against Middlesbrough, and alongside Sylvain Distin, the pair looked rock solid. However on Saturday the roles will be reversed with Distin likely to be marking Bent, Dunne will have to provide the cover Distin supplied last Monday. Another goal wouldn’t hurt either, thanks.
Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks may be staring upwards at the rest of the league, but with a League Cup win against Bolton and two draws in their last two league outings, they now have a glimmer of hope towards picking themselves up off the bottom of the table. Whether they can turn this into a result on Saturday is another question against a team that have really proved a bogey side for them in recent encounters. Ian Dowie may be wondering what legacy he has inherited here from former manager Alan Curbishley and if he can prevent leading a second club in as many years to the Championship. He has however, been given more money in his first season than Curbishley was in any of his fifteen years in charge. Charlton have had their own problems with injuries and may also be welcoming back a slew of players from the injured list with Jerome Thomas, Djimi Traore and Omar Pouso all in contention for a return on Saturday. Ambrose is still likely to be watching and looks on the way out in spite of the public rumblings from Dowie.
Danger Man – Darren Bent.
Bent is a very talented poacher and unsurprisingly netted five times this season already. Smart, quick and strong, he has all the attributes that have taken him to the outskirts of the England squad. (*No doubt it would be a different story if he played for Middlesbrough.*) Bent scored in both matches between the clubs last season and will no doubt give the city defence another headache on Saturday.
Prediction.
Charlton 1-2 City. Why believe me? Have I been right so far this season? Yup, thought so.
Thanks for another Superb Preview by slim.
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