Plymouth fly in

The Plymouth Argyle team is flying to tonight's match at The Valley. They will then spend the night in the capital before returning to the banks of the Tamar tomorrow.

I lived in Devon for two years, but the view was always that Plymouth was not part of the Royal Duchy and I can see why. It reminds me of Ali G's remark about Wales, 'I don't know much about Wales, but I hear it's crap.' Of course, the city took a real pasting from the Luftwaffe in the Second World War and an even bigger pasting from post-war civic planners (who also afflicted Coventry), although I heard that the city centre is now being spruced up.

To be fair when we went to Home Park a few years back for a pre-season friendly we got a warm welcome from the locals who thought we had come 'frommm Lonnddon'. This was at a time when Jason Euell was really on song and he scored a superb goal that was applauded by the home fans.

Much of the attention on the other blogs is understandably on the left back dilemma. There is talk of Semedo being moved there, but he has been playing well in midfield. In my view he is a fluent passer of the ball.

However, he is already No.2 scapegoat (after Ambrose) for the Bloke Behind Me and his electronic equivalents. I was puzzling why this was and it occurred to me that defensive midfielders have never been that popular at Charlton. It was the case with 'Squib' Hammond (although he was called a half back in those days) about whom I had my first football argument with my father who understandably thought he knew more about than he did given that he had played left half in non-league football. Keith Jones also attracted derision. Many fans favour all out attack and resent the player who keeps possession even if it means retreating (although Semedo is very good at putting long and accurate passes forward).

There is also talk of McCarthy moving into the position, but given that Bougherra has been ill, McCarthy may be required to create a gaping hole in the central defence, not that it isn't weak enough already. Ambrose is also doubtful, although many Charlton fans think he is downright useless. He does at least get himself to good positions, but then panics and fails to exploit them.

Charlton fans always like to see a youngster from the Academy in the team, being rather prone to a romantic 'Roy of the Rovers' view of football so the call has gone up for Grant Basey to play (or at least be on the bench, which is a more reasonable request). There is a big difference between success in League 2 and success in the Championship.

Indeed, the line between success and failure for any young player is thin. Take striker Ben Mackie at Leamington. At 16 he was the youngest ever player to feature in the Coventry first team for a league match. Now he is at the fourth level at the non-league, albeit under contract as it is thought that a higher level non-league team will sooner or later come in for him. Take a look at one of his latest goals here: Mackie (Scroll down, you may need to click twice). He has a good eye for goal and can turn well, but, as you can see, he's carrying a bit of weight and is alleged to like a burger washed down with a can or two of lager.

I have always thought that we would be in the mix this season, but not automatic promotion candidates. There has to be some lowering of unrealistic expectations. I think we should manage to just beat Plymouth tonight by a margin of 2-1, but if we start giving away easy goals again it could easily be 2-2 or even 2-3.

I can't be there but, in the words of Peter Varney, enjoy the game.