Throughout recent seasons tomorrow’s opposition have always guaranteed Charlton fans one thing, an exciting football match.
When the Addicks met the Saints for their first encounter last season, Alan Pardew had just been sacked as Charlton manager and Phil Parkinson, in his first home game in charge, was looking to turn around the lacklustre performances that the Addicks had been recently showing.
In hindsight, Charlton’s performance was fantastic, with special mention going to Addicks debutant Deon Burton. The fixture may have ended 0 - 0, but if it hadn’t been for some truly incredible goalkeeping from Southampton’s Kelvin Davis the Addicks would have certainly won the match.
In the return fixture at St Mary’s in April. Charlton knew they were down, and Southampton were fighting for survival. Playing purely for pride, the Addicks managed to achieve a 3 -2 victory thanks to strikes from Nicky Bailey, Therry Racon and Jonjo Shelvey.
Five months later and the two sides meet again, a league lower, and seemingly a world apart when looking at recent results. The Saints, now managed my Alan Pardew, began the season on -10 points as a result for breaching insolvency rules at the end of last season. So far this campaign they have managed four draws and two defeats in their opening six games, visiting The Valley with a points total of -6. Phil Parkinson’s Addicks on the other hand, have begun the season with a perfect six wins out of six and sit on top of the League One table with 18 points.
In terms of goal difference, Charlton have the best record in the League, so far scoring 15 goals and conceding only 3, two of which came in the first game of the season in the victory against Wycombe Wanderers. Southampton on the other hand have only managed to score 4 goals compared to the 7 that they have conceded.
It is also worth noting that the Addicks have not conceded in the last three games.
In terms of team news Southampton will be looking to give debuts to centre back Radhi Jaidi and striker Papa Waigo, alongside the new signings Charlton fans will be expecting former Addick Chris Perry to become the latest defender to try and stifle Deon Burton and Jonjo Shelvey’s creative play.
The Addicks are hoping that Nicky Bailey and Therry Racon will be able to shake off niggles which have kept them out of training this week and are expected to name an unchanged side as they look for their seventh consecutive win.
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, Sam Sodjie, Chris Solly, Scott Wagstaff, Matt Spring, Izale McLeod, Stuart Fleetwood
Come on you Addicks!