I once gave up the possibility of a weekend in the Eternal City for a home game against Oxford. This was when both clubs were in the second tier.
I had been at a meeting in Rome and could have stayed on until Sunday. But such was my Addcktion that I got an early flight which landed in Heathrow just after noon.
I thought I would have enough time to collect my car and drive to SE7 in time for kick off. I didn't make sufficient allowance for snarl ups on the M25.
So I arrived after kick off at The Valley and to be greeted by a shout of 'Pratt!' from the legendary Bloke Behind Me. There was nothing much at stake in the match in terms of promotion and relegation and we won 2-1, I recall.
That isn't true tomorrow. Oxford are in the relegation positions and Charlton are bottom of the form table. A draw would suit neither side.
Away from home, the visitors have won two, drawn three and lost six.
But it is Gary Rowett who sounds more like a man whose job is at risk from the curse of Charlton. After Oxford lost 1-2 at home to Preston last Saturday, he blamed himself for the defeat because of the starting formation had chosen
He added: 'We keep just doing the wrong things in games and that's the challenge for us. When you concede poor goals it makes it so difficult. Small margins tend to go against us rather than go for us. We're also lacking a little bit of belief compared with last season.'
My ability to follow the game will be constrained given that our Christmas party here at C(h)arlton House in Leamington kicks off at 5 pm with Christmas carols led by Father Kevin. I may be late.
Nathan Jones has his Christmas dreams: https://www.castrust.org/2025/12/nathan-would-like-a-twelve-point-christmas/
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