The rumour mill is in overdrive at the moment suggesting this is Paul Jewell’s last game. 

Charlton Athletic v Derby County

Coca Cola Championship

7:45pm, 15th December, 2008

The Valley, Charlton, London

Charlton have already gone down the route of dismissing the manager. Alan Pardew left by mutual consent after a fans protest following a 2-5 reverse at home to Sheffield United.  Since then the club has been managed by Phil Parkinson on an interim basis until at least the New Year.

Results have not improved however with only one point from three games and fans may be wondering where Charlton are going.

Talk of takeovers by foreign consortia seems to be nothing more than hot air and the traditional relegation financial crisis seems to be looming.

Whatever goes on off the pitch, most fans are concerned about the display on the pitch. Before being confirmed as manager until the New Year a bullish Parkinson said; “If it's me in charge I will be doing all I can to get a better performance out of the team. I don't think the uncertainty (over the managerial position) helps but I'm not going to use that as an excuse. It doesn't matter what is going on in the background, you have to roll your sleeves up and have a real go."

Charlton have a couple of familiar faces in their ranks. Izale McLeod and Deon Burton are the likely starting strike force. Sadly for Rams fans, Jay McEveley will not start for Charlton following injury. There’s likely to be someone competent in his position.

Luke Varney is eligible for the Rams.

Charlton Facts

The Rams

Charlton are rock bottom and haven’t won for 12 games.  Apart from the Stoke game, we’ve been poor recently. All the way back to the end of the Forest game in fact.

Paul Jewell is aware of the problem; “We move forward and take two steps back," he told BBC Radio Derby.

The problem is that he then goes on to say; “Our squad isn't strong enough with all the injuries. The inconsistency is unbelievable at the moment. The players when we get them fit are a decent side but we just can't get the XI on the park.”

As he did last year, he’s saying that the players on the park aren’t good enough.  The injured players who would come back into the team must be Leacock, Albrechtsen, Davies, Barnes, and Pearson & Green.  That would mean that the players currently in those positions aren’t good enough - and they are all players bought in by Jewell!

Some of the other players bought by Jewell don’t seem to be able to get on the park.

We also have Roy Carroll suspended and Liam Dickinson farmed out on loan - both apparently for disciplinary reasons.

We seemed to be going in the right direction a few weeks ago but now we seem to be in free fall - And the manager seems to be making excuses again.

If we win this game and do well on Saturday against Watford, our most patient of fans will give him time, if we don’t the board may not be so patient.

Mick’s team: Bywater, Stewart, Powell, Tomkins, Nyatanga, Connolly, Kaz, Addison, Varney, Barazite, Hulse

What the bookies think

Charlton are favourites at 7/5 while the rams are at 19/10. The draw is 23/10.  You can get 2/1 on Chris Dickson to score suggesting the bookies see him as Charlton’s biggest threat. Deon Burton is at 6/4.

For the Rams, Tito Villa is also at 2/1 while Luke Varney is at 15/8 to score against his current club.

The favourite score is 1-0 to Charlton at 6-1 which suggests the bookies don’t think this will be a thriller.

Information for travelling fans

Driving; Even on a Saturday, the 150 miles to Charlton can be problematic. On a cold Monday in December when it’s on TV, it becomes the preserve of the masochist. There will be plenty making the journey however and the best route is M1 south to the M25. Leave the M25 at Junction 2 and take the A2 to London. Take the A206 towards Woolwich and you should see the ground on the right.

The RAC recommend taking the North Circular - probably a nightmare in traffic. I’d take the train or bus.

Parking:  Is on the street but not near the ground due to Resident only parking. You might be better off picking a tube with a car park and getting the train to Charlton

Drinking: 'The Antigallican, near Charlton railway station is the away pub.  Further along the road is the 'Rose of Denmark' on Woolwich Road.  Footballgroundguide.com also recommends the Liberal Club which charges £1 entry.

Mick’s prediction

If it is Jewell’s last game he might want to go out with a bang. Charlton won’t want to go 13 games without a win. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up a dour 0-0.

Photo: Action Images

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