Marcus Braddock looks ahead to the visit of Charlton Athletic
Town are back in action tonight with the visit of eighth placed Charlton Athletic. The Addicks are one of a number of teams hoping to finish in the play-off positions but their last three results have seen them fall off the pace a little. It's left them 2 points behind the play-offs having played one more game than 6th placed Plymouth.
Top Scorers
Tarique Fosu-Henry 9
Josh Magennis 9
Joe Arib 5
Jake Forster-Caskey 5
Assists
Ricky Holms 7
Jake Forster Caskey 6
Tarique Fosu-Henry 3
Clean Sheets
When we last played Charlton they'd managed seven clean sheets, four at home and three away. Since then they've added another two at home and one away.
Stats
In away games, Charlton have averaged 1.3 points per game, 0.1 better than the league average.
62% of the goals the Addicks have conceded have been scored in the second half.
Their worst fifteen minutes of away games is the final fifteen of the game with 9 goals conceded in 20 away games.
Their best fifteen minutes is the middle segment of the second half with 8 goals scored and 2 conceded between the 60th minute and the 75th.
Referee - Darren Handley from Lancashire. Games this season: 38. Yellow cards: 115. Red cards: 6.
Assistants - Christopher Ward and Ian Smedley.
Fourth Official - Christopher Sarginson.
Squad News
Paul Hurst will be without the suspended Omar Beckles and long-term absentees Abu Ogogo and Junior Brown.
Summary
We all know what is at stake for us; a win sees us close the gap between Blackburn and ourselves to just 2 points with four games to play. Charlton will be wanting to avenge our win at the Valley in February and enhance their chances of a play-off position. Defensively we will be tested without Omar Beckles and Abu Ogogo and we will need to counter the inevitable pressure that will be placed on these areas. If we can do that and also get a couple of goals then the pressure is on Blackburn not to slip up at home to Peterborough on Thursday.
COYB!!!