It's tough up north

It's tough up north and CAS Trust reckons that a scrappy point in difficult conditions might be enough at Huddersfield tomorrow: Battle in the wind and the rain

It wouldn't satisfy the Addickted who make the long journey to Yorkshire (although these northern fixtures always attract Addicks who are exiled in northern parts like one I know who lives in Doncaster and had a difficult time last summer). Setting up for a draw doesn't really work given the propensity of Charlton to concede in time added on.

On the other hand, all out attack is risky with a weak defence and a midfield whose performance is unpredictable. Who would be under siege supremo Lee Bowyer? Well quite a few fans appear to think they know better than him to judge by comments on social media.

Desmond from Deal has no doubts: 'A decisive defeat will be the final nail in Bowyer's coffin who might then find a place at his level in Blackpool.'

Huddersfield have won their past three league games against Charlton, scoring eight goals and conceding just once. Charlton have won one of their past seven away league games against Huddersfield (D2 L4), a 1-0 win in March 2013. Huddersfield have won four of their past seven home league games (D1 L2), as many as in their previous 32 home games combined.

Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant has scored 14 league goals for the Terriers this season, the best return by a Huddersfield player since Nahki Wells scored 17 in 2015-16.

If the form book and the weather forecast is anything to go by, it looks like a home win for Huddersfield and another chorus of demands for Bowyer to go. But Charlton are capable of winning when they are least expected to.

Will Karlan Grant score tonight?

Charlton fans have a chance to renew their acquaintance with Karlan Grant when Huddersfield visit The Valley tonight. Former players have a habit of scoring against us.

Grant has been directly involved in 59% of Huddersfield's 22 league goals this season (11 goals, 2 assists), the highest ratio of any player in the Championship.

Huddersfield are currently 21st in the Championship, but two places above second from bottom Charlton in the form table. They have won two, drawn two and lost five away from home.

The Addicks are without a win in eight matches, while the Terriers have gone five games without a victory. This is the first league meeting between Charlton and Huddersfield since January 2016, a 5-0 win for the Terriers at the John Smith's Stadium.

Huddersfield have lost just one of their past five visits to Charlton in all competitions (W2 D2 L1), winning their most recent game there in September 2015. Charlton are winless in eight league games (D2 L6), losing the past three in a row. They last lost four consecutive league games back in March 2017.

Huddersfield are winless in their past five league games (D2 L3), having been unbeaten in the seven before that (W4 D3) as they benefited from a new manager effect.

Charlton have used more different players (28), and made more changes to their starting XI (57) than any other Championship side this season, reflecting our injury problems. In a further blow, Lee Bowyer has admitted that Lyle Taylor's minutes tonight will be 'limited': Can't chuck him in

CAFC Facts and Stats have pointed out that 'anything less than three points this evening will see the Addicks go nine games without a league win and be on a par with the club's worst league run since 28th November 2015 - 12th January 2016 when they also went 9 without a win under the stewardship of Karel Fraeye.'

Lee Bowyer favourite for Huddersfield job

Lee Bowyer is now the favourite with the bookies for the managerial vacancy at Huddersfield Town: Next manager

I'm not too worried, he is on the crest of a wave at Charlton and Huddersfield are struggling. The fact that he knows Karlan Grant is neither here nor there.

Richard Cawley of the SLP was told yesterday there had been no approach. But he added, 'But that doesn't guarantee that there isn't interest. If Bowyer and Charlton keep excelling this season then his list of admirers will only grow. Just the same as any player who does well.'

Lee Bowyer has confirmed to Richard Cawley that there has been no contact with him or his agent. 'I haven't spoken to my agent and he hasn't called me. I don't know where it has come from. How can I not be happy at Charlton? We're sitting in a good place. I haven't heard anything.'

It's not so grim 'oop north

With the president of the NFU at the Great Yorkshire Show

Having spent a day this week at the Great Yorkshire Show, I can verify that. More to the point, the latest Swiss Ramble blog takes an in depth look at Huddersfield Town which in normal circumstances we might think of as a comparator. All the tables and graphs include data on Charlton: Huddersfield Town

Of course, their chairman has pumped in £45m, admittedly to no great effect.

Huddersfield hope to celebrate Powell's return

Huddersfield Town are looking to celebrate Chris Powell's return to The Valley with three points: Huddersfield

The Yorkshire Post are more guarded in their comments: 'Just over one year on from Chris Powell’s appointment, it’s a case of plus ca change for Huddersfield Town, who find themselves in a decidedly sticky situation at the bottom end of the table. The fixture list has been far from kind for Town this week, with Powell’s side following up a long trip to Cardiff with another epic midweek journey to face his former club Charlton.'

'Town are without a win in seven games this season and have scored just three goals in the league and all told, you have to go back 11 matches for their last competitive victory, a 1-0 win at the City Ground on April 11. The developments are all of the deeply worrying variety for Town and Powell, who has presided over just two wins in his last twenty matches in charge of the club. A victory at his former club this evening would be as big as any he has achieved in his Town tenure thus night. A truly big night for Huddersfield and Powell.'

Speaking after Saturday's defeat at Cardiff, Powell said: 'It's not the start to the season that we wanted but, to be fair, we've had to deal with a lot of players coming and going and we're trying to gel the team as quickly as possible.'

Huddersfield are currently second from bottom in both the league table and the form table.

Tough task for Powell

Chris Powell has now been manager at Huddersfield Town for a year and according to this article from the Yorkshire Post he faces a tougher challenge than last year in keeping them out of relegation trouble: Chris Powell

Big day at The Valley

It's Football for a Fiver day at The Valley and most seats should be filled (some season ticket holders may not make it). For those who resent casual supporters turning up, it should be pointed that this is the only occasion when many families with tight budgets can come to The Valley. In this connection, it is good news that season ticket prices are to be frozen next year.

I would also point out that Crystal Palace had difficult selling out their allocation at West Ham and had to extend their eligibility categories. Glaziers received an e-mail from Alan Pardoo urging them 'to leave the sofa for this one. We're still short for Saturday. It's a massive game for us, if you can get there, please get there.' Prices are a bit higher than at The Valley, £43 for adults and £25 for children.

It's clearly going to being an emotional day, particularly for those who venerate Chris Powell or simply think that he was badly treated (which he was). However, we do need to take three points off Huddersfield Town who are close to us in the real and form tables. Away from home they have won four, drawn four and lost eight. They have conceded more goals than us away from home, but also scored more.

Jordan Cousins is expected to return after recovering from a muscle complaint. This is great news as he has been a key player in midfield, showing energy, skill and real commitment. He is, as the Covered End sings, 'one of our own.' New signing Alou Diarra and Chris 'Red Robin' Eagles could make their full debuts, while skipper Johnnie Jackson remains sidelined with a leg problem.

The last two home matches against them have been drawn. We also drew away at the beginning of the season. We last beat Huddersfield at home in League One in 2011. Odds are: Charlton 9/5, Draw 9/4, Huddersfield 13/8.

Chris Powell to become Huddersfield manager

According to the BBC, Chris Powell has been offered the manager's job at Huddersfield Town: Chris Powell. Alex Dyer will be joining him as assistant. (The BBC has just confirmed that the appointment has taken place). The announcement on the official Huddersfield Town site can be found here: Chris Powell

A round of second interviews were held with three candidates. As well as Chris Powell, they were thought to include Coventry City manager Stephen Pressley and possibly caretaker manager Mark Lillis.

When Chris returns to The Valley with his new side, Charlton fans will want to show their appreciation of his efforts for the club. I am pleased that he has found a new post so that he can develop as a manager.

Given the number of meetings there have been between the two clubs in recent years, the Terriers should already be quite familiar to their new manager.

Will it be tough 'oop north?

Not so long ago well-known Charlton fan Jonathan Acworth predicted that both Charlton and Millwall would go up this season. If you looked at the present state of the table, you might believe him, whilst Huddersfield Town are just above the relegation zone in 20th. However, it's early days and the Terriers got their season going with a good win at Reading midweek: First points

The Terriers are still without a manager, despite persistent rumours that Chris Powell might take his flat cap 'oop north. Last season they finished 17th and they could well be in a similar position at the end of the current season. Having enjoyed good fortune in avoiding the drop in 2102-13, little was expected from them last season, but they did well until running out of steam a little towards the end. It was reckoned that Mark Robins had a made steady improvement on a low budget, but the opening day defeat made him the first managerial casualty.

Four Four Two says: 'Steady and unspectacular are probably the operative words for most of Town's key performers: ever-present keeper Alex Smithies; combative breakthrough defender Tommy Smith; pinpoint passing Adam Hammill; and goal scorer Jamie Vaughan.' Vaughan averaged three shots per game throughout last season. Only four players across the entire Football League hit more. He has been side lined by a calf injury, and at this point I am uncertain about his availability tomorrow. He is continuing to 'receive treatment' which could mean anything. Key danger man Adam Clayton has gone to Middlesbrough.

The home side has a number of injury worries, including their captain, but it seems that Nick Pope will continue in goal with Stephen Henderson's hamstring continuing to be 'monitored': Injury list

This summer's transfer activity to date means that the Town midfield is well stocked, but fans consider that the defence needs reinforcing and more options are required up front: Transfers

Last year we lost the away match in the league 2-1, have won by a single goal in the preceding season. Odds are: Huddersfield 23/20, Draw 12/5, Charlton 9/4.

Work tasks are taking me away from the UK for a few days and I regret that I will be unable to provide coverage of this game or the cup game at Derby. Who knows, when I return, Andy Delort may have signed! Or not.

Glass Half Empty

Derek from Dymchurch writes: 'That Belgian geezer has ridden his luck up to now with two home matches and the away match up the river. Now he has to go 'oop north and I reckon this is where the wheels will come off. The northern cloggers will soon put paid to his fancy footwork. Mind you I give him some credit for giving Rosler what for about events in Belgium 100 years ago. Here on the Kent coast vigilance is our watchword.'

'Maybe we will ride our luck this season. So I will make an offer up front: if we are promoted, I will give the team a day out in Dymchurch, including five pounds worth of tokens at the amusement park and a return ticket to Dungeness on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch. As for Wyn, I wish him well on his slow boat to China.'