Back in the game

The longest international break ever, but this weekend football is back. Most eyes will be on Anfield, but mine and yours will be on The Valley.

Another early TV kick off which means setting an alarm for me.

The good news first. The injured players are 3 weeks closer to being fit than they were 3 weeks ago. Glad to see that the international break hasn’t tempered how much of an open book Nathan Jones is when it comes to talking about injuries.

The rest has been good, but whether Billy Koumetio, Kayne Ramsay, Micah Mbick and Will Mannion are match fit remains to be seen, but both Josh Edwards and Charlie Kelman got game time before the break.

The Addicks did play a behind closed doors friendly with Barnet this week that Mbick scored twice in.

TC, Mesik, Binden, and Coventry – great to see Conor play such a big role in the Republic’s games – have only just returned to Sparrows Lane. Not much rest for them, but Okonkwo got back last weekend after not adding to his Nigeria caps.

A bigger squad to pick from than Jones has had for a long time. I don’t really mind who plays, they just have to be a lot, lot better than last time out.

The mood music has been turned to troubled since the Cardiff game, which seems like yonks ago and I was there, but have been to half a dozen places myself since.

More than anything I’m looking for a response. COYR.