Swindon v Charlton
Charlton will go in search of their first win in four games on Saturday (3pm), but will face a tough test against in-form Swindon Town at The County Ground.
The Addicks have not enjoyed the best of fortunes since Christmas, winning two, drawing four and losing one of their last seven league games.
The latest draw came in Tuesday's rearranged fixture at Walsall when Deon Burton's penalty secured Charlton a point after Troy Deeney had headed the Saddlers in front.
Deeney's opener was the third time in as many games that Phil Parkinson's side had fallen behind but, like on Saturday against Tranmere Rovers, the Addicks fought back to level.
Unfortunately, on both occasions, Charlton couldn't find the winning goal, with the woodwork and some gallant defending denying Parkinson's men.
Parkinson's outfit aren't far away from turning things around, but with Charlton four points behind second-placed Leeds United, who have two games in hand, the Addicks know they can't afford to continue in their current vein.
After the disappointing draw with Tranmere on Saturday, Parkinson rang the changes at the home of Walsall and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod in his starting XI at Swindon this weekend.
It certainly won't be easy against the Robins. Danny Wilson's men are unbeaten in their last seven league fixtures and are currently sitting in fifth spot in League One.
The opposition
Swindon threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday.
Former Shrimpers striker Billy Paynter put Swindon ahead with just 45 seconds on the clock when he fired low into the right-hand corner. Francis Laurent then hit the bar for Southend before the visitors added a second in the 10th minute.
Pat Baldwin's clearance hit Simon Ferry and the ball fell to Charlie Austin, who fired into the bottom-right corner. Southend pulled one back in the 85th minute when Simon Francis' free-kick produced a one-handed save from Phil Smith and substitute Scott Spencer stabbed home the ball in the resulting goalmouth scramble.
And Baldwin, making his Shrimpers debut after arriving on loan from Essex rivals Colchester United, secured a share of the spoils with one minute of normal time remaining when he headed Damian Scannell's cross home from close range.
Afterwards, Swindon manager Wilson felt the Robins' exertions in their 3-0 home win against Leeds last week had taken its toll on his players.
"I do not think we were as sharp as we have been and that's understandable," said Wilson. "It was a massive game for us on Tuesday and we put a lot into it. But we are still in there. It was a bonus if you look at the big picture but we are disappointed not to have taken all three points. We have had enough chances to put the game to bed but their goalkeeper has made a few good saves.
"I thought we were comfortable but it's not easy to come to Southend and they got two scrappy goals and that's down to ourselves. We did open them up and a third goal would have killed off the contest but we couldn't get it."
Swindon were handed a major boost this week when in-form striker Austin - who scored at The Valley on Boxing Day - ended any immediate speculation over his future by penning a new two-and-a-half-year deal with the Robins.
The 20-year-old has bagged 10 goals in 14 games to attract the attention of several clubs since arriving from non-League Poole Town in October.
Austin's previous deal ran until the end of the season, but Town triggered a clause in the youngster's initial contract to extend his stay until the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
And the former Reading trainee, who has always maintained he would sign an extension, expressed his gratitude to Town for giving him his chance in the Football League.
"When I first signed for Swindon my aim was to get a longer contract and the way everything has gone on the field and off it has been brilliant," said Austin, who also has the option to add another year on his new deal.
"I heard about the rumours but it was never much in doubt that I was going to sign another contract at Swindon if I got offered one. A lot of people have said I've got that instinct for scoring goals, but the service has been great from the boys and they have been a massive help to me both on and off the pitch."
He added: "We've got to push on over the second half of the season, stay in the play-offs and challenge for that second spot. After that, you never know, but hopefully we can be in the Championship in the next two years."
Wilson continued: "You only have to look at the likes of Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle to see that these sort of players are about. But they aren't common. The biggest thing is about giving these lads the opportunity because it's difficult to assess whether they can or cannot do it until you try them.
"We didn't know it was going to work, but we felt that he could do a job so we took a punt, and it was a calculated punt. We will hopefully progress him, educate him further in footballing terms and hopefully get some more goals out of him."
Swindon have also extended Danny Ward's loan deal from Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.
Having initially arrived in Wiltshire back in November, the 19-year-old has established himself out on the left wing for the Robins, scoring once in eight league outings to date.
Elsewhere, defender Hasney Aljofree has left Swindon by mutual consent having recently returned to fitness after a lengthy absence with injury.
Unbeaten in their last seven league games, Robins left-back Alan Sheehan continues to miss out due to a hamstring problem, so Lescinel Jean-Francois is likely to keep his place in Wilson's first XI.
The game will come too soon for Alan O'Brien as he completes his recovery from a hamstring problem, while Kurt Hammonds (knee) and Callum Kennedy (pelvis) also miss out.
Both Wilson and Paynter have been nominated for the respective manager of the month and player of the month awards for January.
Paynter scored five goals in four games during January, including a brace in the 3-0 win over Leeds, while Wilson has guided Town to an impressive 10 points out of 12 available.
Charlton team news/past meetings
Chris Solly was handed his first league start for Charlton on Tuesday as Parkinson made four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Tranmere.
Solly replaced Grant Basey at left-back, while Akpo Sodje, recruited on loan from Sheffield Wednesday for the rest of the season on deadline day, partnered Burton up front as David Mooney dropped to the bench.
There was also a place wide on the right for Scott Wagstaff instead of Lloyd Sam and Therry Racon returned to central midfield at the expense of Jose Semedo for his first start since the win over Southend in early December.
Goalkeeper Rob Elliot had recovered sufficiently from the back injury that forced him off before half-time against Rovers and remained between the posts, with Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly, Sam Sodje and Solly making up the back line.
Kyel Reid, who impressed on his debut against Rovers, continued on the left, with Wagstaff on the right and Racon and skipper Nicky Bailey in the middle.
Darren Randolph was joined on the bench by Miguel Llera, Basey, Semedo, Sam, Leon McKenzie and Mooney, meaning Jonjo Shelvey again missed out.
It will be intriguing to see if Shelvey comes back into the fray on Saturday as Charlton chase their first win since the 2-1 triumph at Wycombe Wanderers on January 16th.
Kelly Youga is still sidelined with a knee injury so Parkinson must decide whether to recall Basey or stick with young Solly at left-back. Racon won the penalty which earned Charlton a point at Walsall but the more defensive-minded Semedo may be preferred at Swindon.
Llera grabbed an amazing point for nine-man Charlton on Boxing Day as the Addicks snatched a 2-2 draw with Swindon.
The big defender was coolness personified four minutes into added time to collect a Matt Spring pass and coolly lob the advancing David Lucas.
Charlton had been two men down since the 41st minute after Burton picked up a second yellow card to join Sam Sodje in the dressing rooms, after the defender was sent packing for a late challenge.
In between times Shelvey had fired the 10 men in front from the edge of the box but Swindon turned things round after the break as Austin scored one and made another for Paynter. Yet it was the Addicks who were celebrating at the end after Llera's incredible finale.
The Addicks had previously last met Swindon in the first-round of the Carling Cup in August 2007, when goals from Darren Ambrose and Andy Reid earned Charlton a 2-0 win at The County Ground.
Ambrose dashed into the box to convert a clever nod down from Marcus Bent and put his side into a 51st-minute lead. And skipper Reid doubled their money on 62 minutes, firing home from the penalty spot at the second attempt. Referee Andy Woolmer ruled out the first effort for encroachment but the Irishman kept his cool to find the same corner.
Prior to that, Swindon had beaten Charlton 1-0 at The Valley in March 2000 after a Steven Cowe strike on five minutes. Earlier that season, Charlton won 2-1 at The County Ground thanks to goals from John Robinson and Shaun Newton.
The first encounter between the sides was a 0-0 draw in April 1922 at The County Ground. Just a few days later, Swindon beat Charlton 5-4 at The Valley on the final day of the season.
Overall, Charlton have won 24 games to Swindon's 12, with 18 draws.
Tickets and travel
The Addicks have an initial 1,000 places in the covered Arkells stand, with a further 200 covered and 2,100 uncovered seats potentially available.
Tickets are on general sale, priced £22 adults, £15 over 60s and U21s, and £9 U16s. Those prices will also apply on the day, except U21s, who will pay £22.
Ambulant disabled places are £15 (with a helper free of charge), while there are 10 wheelchair spaces, also priced £15 (including a free helper). The latter should be booked directly with Swindon on 0871 223 2300.
Places are available in person from the Valley commercial centre, by calling the ticket hotline on 0871 226 1905, and online.
Details of the Valley Away coach service, priced £16, to The County Ground can be found here.
Fans can read about discounted group rail travel, and other information about getting to The County Ground, here.
CAFC Player, previously known as CAFC TV, allows fans to follow the action via the live matchday centre, with text updates, all the latest statistical information and a league table that refreshes as the goals go in across the country.
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Directions | © Charlton Athletic 2010
