v 
SHRIMPERS
A trip to the Valley after a 3-0 home defeat to Norwich with half the team knackered, thanks fixture computer.
Grant back for Christophe and maybe Freedman for Scannell as Ibehere moves wide, but I thought the strikers worked hard together on Monday and deserve another run next to each other, while if you don't give young Damien a run now Tilly never will.
The rumours of Laurent making a surprise return seem just that, while Sankofa is a good two weeks away before we see him again, maybe on the bench at Exeter, hang on Morrison would have gone back to Swindon, Osei son your in.
Get up to Greenwich early and enjoy a few beers, then make a bet in the bookies by Charlton station, 11/2 to win, in a two-horse race, must be worth a spare fiver!
Possible Southend United: Mildenhall, Francis, Morrison, Barrett, Malone, Scannell, Grant, McCormack, Moussa, Ibehre, Barnard.
Subs: Bentley, O'Keefe, Freedman, Walker, Asante.
OPPOSITION
The Potuguese midfielder Jose Semedo will serve a one-match ban against the Shrimpers after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at Brighton on Tuesday, Therry Racon could be recalled in the centre.
Full-backs Kelly Youga (knee) and Frazer Richardson (hamstring) are doubtful and Chris Solly (knee) is certainly out so Grant Basey and Elliot Omozusi look set to remain in the side.
Young winger Scott Wagstaff celebrated his first league start with a goal in the 2-0 win at Brighton so would expect to get another game.
Striker Akpo Sodje plays the final game of his one-month loan deal from Sheffield Wednesday, while, of course, we say hi for the first time since he left, ex-player of the year, Nicky Bailey.
| 1 | Leeds United | 18 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 8 | 45 | +27 | ||||
| 2 | Charlton Athletic | 19 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 19 | 39 | +17 | ||||
| 3 | Norwich City | 19 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 40 | 24 | 35 | +16 | ||||
| 4 | Colchester United | 19 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 18 | 33 | +14 | ||||
PREVIOUSLY
Readers of a nervous disposition may wish to look away now and move on to the Ground info.......
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GROUND
The construction of the North Stand has transformed the ground. What was a single tier separate stand, is now a large two tiered affair, extending and completely enclosing the North East & North West corners. The re-development of this area of the ground was completed in 2002 and in total houses 9,000 fans. Both sides have also been re-developed in the mid 1990's and anyone who saw the derelict Valley some years back, now wouldn't believe their eyes.
The West Stand on one side is a good sized two tiered stand, whilst opposite, is the smaller single tiered East Stand, where the vast open terrace, reputedly the country's biggest, was located until demolished in the 1990's. There is a row of executive boxes that run across the back of this stand and it has a television gantry suspended beneath its roof.
The older South Stand, behind the goal, is given to away supporters and now looks out of place in its smart surroundings. On one side of this is a police control box. The stadium doesn't have any floodlight pylons as such, but has rows of small floodlights running across the tops of the stands.
The stadium is overlooked by a block of flats beyond the South Stand and it is not uncommon to see fans out on their balconies watching most of the game for nothing. In one corner of the stadium between the Jimmy (South) Seed & East Stands, there is a large video screen. Outside the ground there is a statue of Charlton's legendary former goalkeeper Sam Bartram.
Away fans are housed in the Jimmy Seed (South) Stand at one end of the ground, which is slightly raised above pitch level, making for a generally good view. Up to 3,000 away fans can be accommodated in this end. However, if the visiting team are unlikely to sell their full allocation of 3,000 tickets, then this end may be shared with home fans. This stand being older than the rest of the ground, looks somewhat tired and for those used to other modern premiership grounds, may find it somewhat of a shock.
WEATHER
Sunny intervals and 11cs, it could be worse.
The man in the middle is our old friend from Orient a couple of seasons ago, Danny McDermid, originally from Northern Ireland, now based in Middlesex.
He gives an interview here: www.refworld.com/referee/151/1/danny-mcdermid
Saturday, December 5th, 2009; (all kick-offs 15.00 unless stated): Charlton v Southend, Colchester v Bristol Rovers, Exeter v Brighton, Gillingham v Carlisle, Hartlepool v Millwall, Leeds United v Huddersfield, (12.15), MK Dons v Yeovil, Norwich v Oldham, Swindon v Leyton Orient, Tranmere v Brentford, Walsall v Southampton, Wycombe v Stockport.
Friday, December 11th, 2009: Brighton v Colchester, 19.45.
BET
To Win:
Charlton - 8/13, Draw - 14/5, Southend - 11/2.
By Car go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW7&id=450472
By Coach go here: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW3&id=450422
PUB AND PIES
For the best drinking hostelries in Charlton, and we recommend you spend time in nearby Greennwich, go here:
HISTORY
The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the South-East London area, including East Street Mission and Blundell Mission, combined to form Charlton Athletic Football Club.
The club is based at The Valley, where it has played since 1919, apart from one year in Catford, during 1923-24, and seven years at Crystal Palace and West Ham United between 1985 and 1992.
Charlton turned professional in 1920 and first entered the Football League in 1921. Since then, they have had four separate periods in the top flight of English football: between 1936 and 1957; 1986 and 1990; 1998 and 1999, and 2000 to 2007.
Historically, Charlton's most successful period was the 1930s, when the club's highest league finishes were recorded, including runners-up of the league in 1937, and after World War II, when the club reached the FA Cup final twice, winning in 1947.
The Addicks were relegated from the Championship in 2008-09.