Charlton vs Walsall Preview

Last updated : 21 August 2009 By Matt Fricker
Charlton Athletic return to The Valley on Saturday hoping to extend their unbeaten start this season to four league games and twelve points out of a possible twelve.

The visitors to SE7 for tomorrow's 3pm kick off, Walsall have had a mixed start to the season. An opening day 1 - 0 victory against Brighton gave initial optimism to The Saddlers. But defeat in the League Cup to Accrington Stanley proved the start of a setback for Walsall as they found themselves fighting hard to seal a draw against Southend thanks to a late penalty. And, after taking the lead at home on Tuesday against Leeds on 79 minutes, they were unable to hang on to the lead and eventually lost 2 -1.

The Addicks on the other hand return to The Valley with their heads held high following three very tough away challenges in the space of ten days. An effective reserve side turned out in the League Cup against Hereford and were unlucky to loose 1 - 0.

However, Phil Parkinson returned his strongest eleven to the fray for the trip to Hartlepool United, where, by all accounts, Charlton were the stronger team throughout and returned to London with a convincing 2 - 0 victory.

Then, on Tuesday evening, the Addicks made the short journey North of the river to E10 and the home of Leyton Orient, where more than 3,000 travelling Addicks saw Phil Parkinson's men react from a poor first half display to come back and deservingly win the fixture 2 - 1.

Second in the table, only on goal difference, Charlton have another tough game on their hands against a Walsall side that will be looking to provide an upset for their travelling support.

In terms of team news for the Addicks, Lloyd Sam was substituted for Scott Wagstaff in the dying minutes of Tuesday night, but there has been no news from the Charlton camp that the change was anything more than a precaution.

As a result I believe Phil Parkinson will name an unchanged team of:

GK: Rob Elliott
LB: Kelly Youga
CB: Christian Dailly
CB: Miguel Llera
RB: Frazer Richardson
LM: Nicky Bailey (c)
CM: Jose Semedo
CM: Therry Racon
RM: Lloyd Sam
SS: Jonjo Shelvey
CF: Deon Burton

Subs: Darren Randolph, Chris Solly, Scott Wagstaff, Matt Spring, Andy Gray, Izale McLeod, Stuart Fleetwood

Come on you Addicks!