Bolton are a useful benchmark

Saturday's game would ordinarily be a huge one, but given Charlton's usual propensity to bounce back from a run of poor results, it represents a vital opportunity to get some momentum back again. If we lose or draw, we effectively lose touch with Bolton given only five games would remain and hence the battle would simply be for 7th place. Win however, and they are just two points behind and firmly within our sights. With Spurs facing a tricky game at Liverpool, and 'Boro not playing it is hard to overemphasise just how crucial this game is for us.

Bolton are a useful benchmark for us and our two clubs are similar in a number of ways. In terms of budget and attendances, there is little to choose between us and we are both 'blessed' with highly-regarded British managers. Whilst Bolton's overall history is a prouder one than ours (seven FA Cup finals), in recent decades we have both played the majority of our football outside of the top flight. Bolton's approach has been different from ours in recent seasons however, particularly in terms of transfer policy and it has paid off handsomely. Whilst one or two of their high-profile signings have failed, the contribution of Campo, Hierro, Okocha and Djorkaeff is (and was) huge and answered many sceptics who argued that they "wouldn't fancy it on a cold Tuesday night in Lancashire." Interestingly, the two Charlton signings that most resemble these higher-profile ageing names (Di Canio and Costa) were also big successes. Perhaps it suggests something about the efficacy of this shorter-term outlook particularly in the context of well-respected managers who can motivate and tolerate.

With six games left and nothing to lose, it'd be nice to think we might throw caution to the wind and begin to use our strengths rather than seek merely to stifle the opposition. If there is one area where we would seem to have an obvious edge, it would be the ability to use pace against their experienced but potentially slow defence. With Bartlett absent, our approach has to be more cultured and thoughtful, and hence it might be time to go for all-out attack with Rommedahl and Thomas on the flanks, and either Jeffers plus Lisbie up front, or Jeffers or Lisbie with a pacy runner in midfield, ideally Euell. It would be hard to drop Konch given recent outings, hence it might be time to see Holland or Murphy drop to the bench, probably the former given the need for the latter's extra ability on the ball. Hence a line-up of Kiely, Young, Hreidarsson, Perry, Fortune, Konchesky, Murphy, Euell, Rommedahl, Thomas, Lisbie/Jeffers may contain enough pace and guile to outwit their obvious height and strength advantage.

Indeed it is this height advantage, given the absence of El Karkouri and Bartlett, which I would be most fearful of. If Fish hadn't have been rushed back against WBA and then foolishly played against Man City, then arguably he'd be in for a shout for selection. However it is hard to believe Curbs would run the risk of facing the ire of the Covered End by selecting him again. If that decision backfired then the pressure on him really would begin to mount in earnest. Ironically this game would probably have seen the debut of Michael Turner had he not been allowed to leave, and again one wonders if the continued release of promising young players may not be looking premature in light of the current injuries and suspensions?

Betfair is showing odds of approximately 13/8 Charlton, 2/1 Bolton and 5/2 the draw, which normally would scream 'value' about Charlton but instead as an unemotional gambler, I'd be tempted to nibble at the 2/1 on the away side. There is 8/1 available on Lisbie to score the first goal which is tempting despite his frustrating finishing, whilst Konchesky is available at 22/1 which may be more interesting if allowed a more forward-looking role.