Huddersfield v Charlton | Sat 29 Feb | 3pm KO | Match Preview, Predictions, News & Views

Huddersfield Town v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 29th February 2020 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Geoff Eltringham (THEY'VE FOUND US A NEW REFEREE)

Introduction
Well this game is quite simply remarkable, it’s the last time the event will happen for twenty eight years. It’s an occasion that hasn’t happened for the same length of time when on 29th February 1992 the Addicks travelled to Barnsley where they would suffer a 1-0 defeat – Of course I’m talking about leap years falling on a Saturday, it’s an occasion that rarely happens as previously mentioned, and it involves a trip to Yorkshire… This weekend we make the short trip from Sheffield to Huddersfield, an instant response from our midweek clash is oh so important as the battle to survive gets even tighter!!

The Opposition
Name: Huddersfield Town (19th) | Manager: Danny Cowley
Ground: Kirklees Stadium
Previous Meeting: Charlton Athletic 0-1 Huddersfield Town

There really is very little to speak about in terms of the previous meeting between these sides – Huddersfield were and still are a side struggling to cope with dropping out of the Premier League, it’s no joke for their supporters in the respect that they could suffer back to back relegations; Sunderland a perfect example of how you need to bounce back from the disappointment quickly else life in League One can last longer than you’d like (we should know!!)… Certainly a lesson for Norwich City who’ll surely be playing Championship Football next term

Their 1-0 win at the Valley was without doubt, nothing to shout about, it was a drab game with two struggling teams slogging it out like a boxer in the final few rounds of a bout – As we saw on Wednesday night, and it would be a late, late goal that would seal the points for the visitors that day!!

Yet when all is said and done; Huddersfield in my opinion have the one of the best Managerial duos outside of the Premier League and should our opponents survive for another year in the Championship then I won’t be surprised if they do slowly prosper; Karlan Grant (whilst poor in the reverse fixture) is quite simply the man keeping the Terriers above the dotted line, he’s returned after missing three games and will surely enjoy a goal or two after his harsh reception at the Valley this season!!

Charlton Team News
Well we’ve been here before haven’t we…? News has filtered through fans that Naby Sarr and Jonny Williams are both expected to be absent for longer than actually being reported – Both have travelled to Yorkshire so it’ll be interesting to see if there is substance in those rumours (as we saw with Lyle Taylor in September) or whether it’s nothing to be concerned about.

In terms of line ups you’d hope that we’ll go back to the diamond formation – Playing three in defence has its uses yet with Tom Lockyer now suspended for two games you’d have to wonder who else can play at the back if Naby Sarr isn’t yet available!! – George Lapslie on the other hand will surely be pushing for a starting berth after another impressive display from the bench, whilst Lyle Taylor will no doubt have a happy reunion with the Manager who truly started his career at Concord Rangers, just hope the training balls and football kit (Lyle's transfer fee to Bournemouth) was worth it!!