Big Match Preview; Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP.

Addicks lowdown 

Promotion failure 'hurts' Pardew

WHEN Charlton made their first-ever visit to the Ricoh in September they were well in the running and highly-fancied to make a quick return to the Premier League.

Only an 85th minute equaliser from Michael Mifsud denied them taking over top spot after the Addicks had strung together four wins and a draw in their previous five league games.

Alan Pardew's side followed up the draw against the Sky Blues with a 2-1 success at Hull three days later. They kept up their momentum with four straight wins in November.

But, gradually, the cracks began to show - and a disastrous Christmas and New Year, in which they had four draws and two defeats, saw the Londoners slipping down the table.

The pounds 4m sale to Sunderland of influential midfielder Andy Reid did not help Charlton's cause - and fans have been quick to point to that January transfer-window decision as the turning point in their promotion hopes.

Chances of even making the play-offs were eventually crushed when Charlton lost 1-0 at QPR two games ago, with Pardew admitting: "It hurts."

He added: "Some of the performances this season have not been of the standard that I would expect. We are now going to have to recruit well in the summer. We must be stronger next year."

With his eye on team building, Pardew introduced teenage academy pair Jonjo Shelvey and Scott Wagstaff against Barnsley last week and both impressed, despite a 3-0 defeat.

Shelvey, who made his debut aged 16 years and 59 days, looks set to keep his place in a midfield that also includes former Newcastle player Darren Ambrose, China star Zheng Zhi and Republic of Ireland international Matt Holland.

Charlton field ex-Manchester City and England Under-21 pair Nick Weaver, in goal, and Ben Thatcher, at full-back, while in the heart of the defence is Madjid Bougherra, the Algerian bought from Sheffield Wednesday for pounds 2.5m last season.

Much-travelled Andy Gray, who is on loan from Barnsley, looks likely to lead Charlton's strike force, alongside Leicester-born Luke Varney.

Their shout

IT'S been a disappointing season and we cannot afford to waste any time in terms of getting ready for next year.

First and foremost, though, we want to give our home fans something to cheer on Sunday. We'll have to put on a display with character, tenacity and a bit of quality.

The players need to show some spirit, and we are looking to finish the season on a positive note.

ALAN PARDEW

Our shout

AS last-day scrapes go, Sunday's game at Charlton is a lot less stressful than City fans have experienced in the past. After all, what are the chances of Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester and Southampton all winning and the Sky Blues losing?

Well, the bookies are offering in the region of 50-1 for that sequence of results but it could never happen - could it?

The players are up for the fight and, barring disaster against a side struggling with form, and a load of freak results elsewhere, City will be safe.

Prediction: 1-1

ANDY TURNER

The dangerman

PRECOCIOUS talent, captain of England Under-16s and an Under-18 cap, became Charlton's youngest ever first-teamer at Barnsley. A star in the making.

Age: 16

Games: 1

Goals: 0

JONJO SHELVEY

CAPTION(S):

ADDICKS BOSS ... Alan Pardew; The line-ups