Do we do cups?

Charlton's record in cups has not been good in recent years. Indeed, when were in the Premiership it seemed to me to be a realistic ambition to have a go at the League Cup, but we never did. Swansea City showed last year that it can be done from mid-table.

Tonight the Addicks face Oxford United at The Valley. We last played Oxford in this competition in 2002 when after a 0-0 draw they won 6-5 on penalties. Odds are(Coral) Charlton 8/13, Draw 11/4, Oxford United 9/2. Charlton are 125-1 to win the competition.

Oxford won an impressive 4-1 victory at Pompey last week, albeit that Portsmouth have been hyped up by the media. Oxford's star player was Alfie Potter. He may be vertically challenged, but he gave Portsmouth's defenders nightmares every time he got on the ball. Deane Smalley took his two goals in clinical fashion, Andrew Whing made a lot of vital tackles in midfield to protect his back four while Johnny Mullins was a threat in both boxes and marshalled his defence well. Jake Wright is also highly rated as a defender. They also have ex-Reading goal getter and former Sainsbury's shelf stacker Dave Kitson who cost Stoke £5.5m in 2208.

Oxford are claiming that they may get a 'shock' result, although it wouldn't be that much of a shock. They are relying on momentum from the Pompey result, although it seems that they may also blood one or two younger players: Shock tactics

Chris Powell has said that he will make some changes tonight. What those will be remains to be seen, but Yann Kermorgant took a knock at Bournemouth and may need to be rested. Simon Church is expected to make his first start for Charlton and Danny Green and Dale Stephens look likely to be in the starting line up.

The performance at Bournemouth does seem to have been lacklustre. Following this 2-1 away defeat, some ultra pessimists were saying that we were as good as relegated. A win tonight would be a morale boost and I am going for 2-1 to the Addicks.