Ahead of Saturday’s clash between Charlton Athletic and Northampton Town, Cobblers manager Jon Brady has insisted that it is by no means an easy game for his side, despite the difference in position in the league table.
It would be an understatement to say that Charlton have underperformed this season and they currently find themselves in the middle of a fight for survival.
Nathan Jones’ side sit just one point ahead of the drop zone at the time of writing, yet both teams directly below them, Cheltenham Town and Port Vale, do have two games in hand each. It looks rather bleak for the Addicks, especially given that they would’ve had lofty ambitions for promotion at the start of the season.
Although they are yet to win a game this calendar year, performances have picked up since Nathan Jones came in. He would replace Michael Appleton in early February and although is yet to get off the mark, has led his side to three draws their last three games.
During that spell, they have picked up points against table-toppers Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers in third and Lincoln City who have been on an excellent run of form of late. Although that first win is still eluding Jones, it looks to be coming rather soon.
The Addicks are in fact in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Derby County who themselves have title hopes this season. That represents a hard task on the road, but they’ll be hoping to get something from it to take into their clash with Northampton on Saturday.
Prior to Charlton’s game with Derby on Tuesday night, Northampton’s manager, Jon Brady was extremely complimentary of his sides’ opponents this weekend, in an interview on the club’s official website.
“Charlton have had three of the toughest tests possible in this league in the last three games and they have picked up some good results.
“They have a lot of players with Championship experience and if you look at the players they have, you see them being in a false position.
“They have a very good level of players and Nathan Jones is putting his own stamp on things. They are high quality opposition, whatever the league table might say.
Writer’s View
Although more will be know about Charlton’s current level after their game with Derby this evening, they are indeed no pushover and will not go down without a fight.
Having improved under Jones, the game against Derby will have a direct impact on their match with Northampton on Saturday. The Cobblers do not have a game in midweek and will be the better-rested of the two, but if the Addicks are able to pull off an upset against Derby, they may go into it as favourites.
Brady seems rather wary of those said improvements, hence the comments, and it should be an enticing tie between the two.
Senior Editor
