Phil full of confidence
Charlton are confident of giving a good account of themselves at in-form Swindon Town on Saturday (3pm), says Addicks manager Phil Parkinson.
The Addicks have stuttered in the league of late to slip down to third place in the League One table.
In contrast, Danny Wilson's Robins have moved up to fifth spot in the division after taking 16 points from a possible 21 in their past seven games.
That run included a 3-0 win over Leeds United, but Parkinson believes his men are up for the challenge following an improved display in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Walsall.
"Swindon have been playing well recently," said Parkinson. "They're one of the form teams in the league. They started the game quickly against Leeds and their front two are playing well.
"We've got to make sure we're strong defensively and stay right in the game. They're a good side and we respect them ,but equally I don't think we did too badly against them at home, so we're confident we can go and give a good account of ourselves."
It's just over a month since the nine-man Addicks snatched an incredible 2-2 draw against Swindon on Boxing Day, and Parkinson recalled: "The way we played in that game and the chances we created even with nine men shows that if we're right at the races we'll cause problems. We haven't done a great deal wrong since then, but we need to convert some of those draws into wins and we'll be endeavouring to do that on Saturday.
"We've drawn too many games, there's no doubt about it. We can't get too anxious about it, though; we need to work hard and concentrate on the performance and the intensity and tempo of our play as we've got some good athletes in our team."
After disappointing home displays against Leyton Orient and Tranmere Rovers, Parkinson made four changes to his side against Walsall, with Lloyd Sam, David Mooney, Grant Basey and Jose Semedo making way for Scott Wagstaff, Akpo Sodje, Chris Solly and Therry Racon respectively.
"We made a few changes, which I felt needed to be made," mused Parkinson. "After the Tranmere game, the longer the weekend went on, the more I thought I needed to freshen things up. We don't want people getting complacent and thinking they have a divine right to play in the team and we're constantly on to the players who are out of the side that if they work hard in training, they will get a chance.
"We'd taken our foot off the pedal to a certain extent and a few people on the fringes of the team had been waiting for an opportunity. We worked hard and the energy of the team was better on Tuesday.
"Coming out of the top two did create a bit of anxiety in our play and around the ground, but I think we got rid of that at Walsall and we're focusing on what we need to do to win."
Reflecting on the draw with Walsall, when Deon Burton's penalty cancelled out Troy Deeney's opener, Parkinson stated: "It was a difficult game and a difficult surface. We dominated for long periods and perhaps should have got all three points. We had chances and enough balls delivered into the box to have won it. In the previous two games we'd probably lacked a bit of intensity in our play, but we certainly got that back against Walsall."
The atmosphere at The Valley was one of disappointment after the poor performances against Orient and Rovers, but Parkinson is hoping the mood will be lifted for the visit of Yeovil Town if Charlton can pick up favourable results in their next two away games at Swindon and Bristol Rovers.
"The boys played with a bit more freedom against Walsall," said Parkinson. "But it's up to us to make sure that the next time we get back to The Valley we have some points from these next two away games. If we do that the mood will have changed slightly, I'm sure."
The Addicks have no fresh injuries or suspensions for the trip to The County Ground, although Kelly Youga will again miss out after being told he will need to rest for a further two weeks before his knee injury is again assessed.
"I'm disappointed by that," Parkinson said. "It's about 12 weeks since he suffered the injury and we're being told he still needs to rest. We've sent him for every scan possible to try to get to the bottom of it but unfortunately nature has to take its course with these injuries.
"Don't get me wrong, Grant Basey and Chris Solly have done well in Kelly's absence, but we've missed him. Kelly gives us that power and pace and he's a good header of the ball defensively at set-plays."
Read more on Youga's injury analysis from Charlton's head physiotherapist Steve Allen here.
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.
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.
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