Valete Portsmouth, Salvete Stockport

Congratulations to Portsmouth on their promotion to the Championship, that's one less worry for pitch announcer Brian Cole.

Inevitably former Leamington Colby Bishop scored for Pompey last night.   We could have had him for £50k but he was snapped up by Accrington and then by Portsmouth.

Portsmouth's departure is not altogether good news for us as we were a bit of a bogey team for them, unbeaten against them this year.

I believe I am right in saying that we have played Pompey more than any other club.   More about their resurgence here: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2024/04/pompey-did-play-up.html

Stockport are the only club whose ground I have visited both for Charlton and for my non-league club Leamington.   Their fans were a lot of trouble when they came to Harbury Lane and one got on the pich and poured a pint of beer over our then goal keeper. the Barmy Binman.

Stockport see League One as a way station to their rightful place in the Championship so they will be in confident mood.   Confidence is important in football, but it is also possible to be over confident.

A real tough test

Lee Bowyer has admitted that the absence of Ben Watson and Ryan Inniss will make the task of the Addicks tougher at Portsmouth this afternoon: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/addicks-bans-will-be-a-loss/

The words 'tough test' can be applied to most games, but they are particularly relevant for the clash against an in form Pompey.   I would be pleased with a draw.

Quite a few Portsmouth fans are not happy with manager Kenny Jackett,  The fan file contributor in Four Four Two states: 'I won't be happy unless Jackett leaves the club.  He's had three years and he's shown that his football is too old school to succeed.  Our American owners seem to favour stability, which only goes so far when the football doesn't warrant it.'

Nevertheless, Four Four Two forecast a first place finish.

CAS Trust portray the game as a clash between the league's top scorers and its meanest defence: https://www.castrust.org/2020/10/portsmouth-the-leagues-top-goal-scorers/

Addicks will miss injured trio

Lee Bowyer admits that Charlton will miss Darren Pratley, Josh Cullen and Jamie Ward at Portsmouth tonight. He would have liked a more physical presence in midfield: Injured trio will be a major miss

In contrast Portsmouth have been relatively free of injuries. They think that this is in part down to the skill of the medical team and due diligence when signing players: Secrets of injury success

The league leaders have won eight games at home, drawn three and lost just one. They have scored eighteen goals and conceded eight. They are third in the form table and Charlton are fifth.

Toby Stevenson dropped

Toby Stevenson is to be taken out of the Charlton team to face a highly physical Portsmouth at Fratton Park tomorrow: Youngster taken out

The SLP's Richard Cawley thinks that Lee Bowyer will deploy Naby Sarr to counter Pompey's physical threat.

Pompey hungry for victory

Portsmouth are hungry for victory over a 'big club' when they play Charlton in the Checkatrade Trophy at The Valley tonight. Manager Kenny Jackett is hoping that the 'goals will flow': Jackett looking for goals

Odds for the match are: Charlton 6/5, Draw 12/5, Portsmouth 23/10. Charlton are at 16/1 to take the Checkatrade trophy.