Plymouth Argyle Preview

Saturday's fixture against Plymouth at The Valley will be the first since the win over Palace and, on paper at least, it looks like one we really should be taking advantage of. Argyle are thirteen without a win now, scoring only five goals in that period, and are dropping down the league faster than Rik Waller on a water slide. They're coming to London on the back of a three goal beating by Derby, whilst we had the chance to rest last week and get some of injured players back to fitness whilst bedding in the new signings. We're odds on aren't we?

We're not of course and this is going to be a hard fought battle between two teams who desperately need the three points. Much depends on what frame of mind the Charlton players are in having lost two on the spin having been in front. What is most worrying is that it seems to be short lapses in concentration which have done for us, with the opposition goals coming in quick succession at both Burnley and Bristol. Hopefully Parkinson has been able to knock a bit of discipline into them over the past week and a half, although I'm not holding my breath.

Guessing the line up is futile and unrewarding these days. You're likely to get the same performance from whichever XI take to the field, and it's only very rarely that any player manages to rise above the mediocrity. I can't really remember the last time I saw the same Charlton team play in two consecutive games and in terms of player turnover, this season must have trumped even the previous one. Keeping up with who is in the squad is as difficult as watching some of the performances. Darren Ward and Tresor Kandol are the latest recruits to the cause and I'll be interested to see the kind of displays we get from them tomorrow.

Elliot seems to be Parky's preferred guardian of the goal at the moment and I wouldn't expect any change for Saturday. This preview is being written before the official one has appeared, so I'm speculating here but hopefully Mark Hudson is fit to return to the centre of defence to accompany Darren Ward. The dearth of resources at centre back has been crippling since the start of the season and it's difficult to understand how we got into a situation where we expected Matt Holland to play there. That's a discussion for another time anyway. Murty and Basey to flank the central defensive duo.

Midfield is one area where we do have a wealth of personnel, it's just a shame nobody has worked out how best to play them together. Thierry Racon's return from injury adds to the confusion and it's hard to say who is going to get the nod. My preference would be to play four across the middle; Bailey and Spring in the centre, with Sam and Soares out wide. There is probably room for only two out of Holland, Racon and Ambrose on the bench and I expect Ambrose to be the man to miss out.

Up front, I must say that the combination of Dickson and Kandol appeals a lot more than Burton as a lone striker. There is always the prospect of Fleetwood getting his chance after his recall from Brighton. Does anybody know where Todorov has disappeared to? I don't expect him to re-emerge on Saturday (or in fact this season) but it would be nice to be told what is going on with him.

So all things considered, here’s my punt at what we can expect:

Elliot; Murty, Hudson, Ward, Basey; Sam, Bailey, Spring, Soares; Dickson, Kandol. Subs: Randolph, Youga, Holland, Racon, Burton.

It's really too close to call this one. If we can maintain the kind of start we get to games throughout and cut out some of the silly mistakes, then they are there for the taking. But can we really fix this thirty-one games in? I doubt it but hope springs eternal. Saturday is of course Valentine's Day, so let's hope the team can show the supporters a bit of love by playing like they mean it and getting a win. Come on you Reds!