Charlton Athletic Online

Two hurdles succesfully negotiated for Chris Powell (left) and his new squad, but another tough away fixture tonight at Colchester will test the team to the limits.

The win at Notts County on Saturday, which keeps the Addicks top of the table, was hard-fought, but once more Charlton played with style, and hit the home team on the break whenever they could. Scott Wagstaff opened the scoring after being put through down the right hand channel by Paul Hayes, and Hayes himself extended the lead just before half-time after Bradley Wright-Phillips crossed low for him to tap in. It was Hayes first goal for Charlton.

The team could have, and really should have, scored more but, despite County pulling one back from a set play, this Charlton held firm, and made it through to the end. In fact, so well did they defend the lead that the home side had to resort to rough house tactics, but still Charlton held. Powell has certainly changed things a bit from last season!

I was forced, once more, into looking at Twitter updates on the match, and as I was busier this Saturday than last, I had to keep checks to a minimum during my own match. Luckily tea coincides with half-time, so I was glued to Tweets during that period.

Tonight the team is away at Colchester, another game I am unable to attend, but hopefuly they will bring home all thee points once more. This will not be easy though, and it was only two years ago that Colchester burst the Addicks winning start to the season in emphatic fashion at the same venue. That night, Odejayi and Wordsworth were the brawn and brains behind the 3-0 win, and those same players will be trying for something similar tonight. Last season, the game was pretty much end-to-end with both sides coming close to winning the 3-3 draw. In fact, Paul Benson did score what looked like a fantastic winner only to have it strangely ruled out before getting himself sent off in injury time. He may not even feature tonight as Jason Euell looks like being the preferred substitute striker (how do you best balance having only five sub options?)

Without any news of injuries, we must presume that Charlton will remian unchanged again, even with Danny Green fit and raring to go after suspension. Keeping him out of the team so far has been goalscoring winger Scott Wagstaff, and Waggy has even said he might need to score in every game this season in order to retain his place. That would be fine with us fans, and even, I'm sure, with Ralph Allen and Derek Hales who currently hold the best goals in a season records for the Addicks.

A tough game then, but this is what the start ot the season was always going to be about. The season will have pitfalls, but let's hope they are not too deep and the Addicks spririt, guile and passion is enough to bring another win in Essex.

Come on you reds!