Rocking

A week of expectation and unusual optimism from Addicks after last Saturday’s memorable win at Fratton Park, played in front of an away atmosphere unrivalled for many a decade.

I will repeat what most Addicks’ have been asking themselves all week. How many times has the team shown up for a game that really mattered in front of a big following of Addicks? I’ve been going for over 4 decades and there ain’t many.

We are quick to knock our support, in terms of numbers especially, but when it comes down to it we can turn up, and we can also turn up the noise. Fratton Park is a great traditional stadium and Saturday in that covered away end looked and sounded simply magical.

Plainly we and Lee Bowyer and his team have to do it all again tomorrow, in fact potentially another five times. I will be following on the couch, but to those that will be at The Valley tomorrow, get the old place rocking.

In terms of team news Bowyer said that Tarique Fosu will be on the sidelines for another fortnight. He has been somewhat of a talisman this season, but since Bowyer has been in charge other players, some of whom we’d written off, have come back to be a real influence. I would assume Marshall starts in Fosu’s place tomorrow. Anfernee Dijksteel is also out, but Lewis Page is fit.

One player who won’t feature is Johnnie Jackson, although of course he will be on the sidelines. He is still carrying an injury. Probably not a good time to be sentimental, but it would be cool to see him run down the wing again before the light is turned out on this season.

Come on you Addicks.

Photo: Kyle Andrews