Below is the second part of our Bournemouth Preview

(see here for Part I which looks at the clubs current unbeaten run)

Missing

Saturday sees Charlton play on the South Coast, and the new home of our former beloved Gallic hero who shall remain unmentioned. Particularly as his kind of players seems ‘missing’ from the Charlton line up, but I suspect there was no Sale or Return arrangement here. To the relief or maybe disappointment of some, the big fella will also be missing from the Bournemouth line up suspended for three matches since a straight red against Bolton.

Charlton have slipped out of the top six, but its tighter than a very tight thing, that someone has subsequently tightened a good deal more, well you get the picture. A win seems overdue and possibly vital to maintain contact with the pack, and continue the Addicks good start to the season.

2 Points separate Norwich from Charlton (7^th) and Wolves (8^th) both on 19 points, but 7/8 goal difference. Drop down a further 6/7 points to Cardiff (15^th) and Millwall (16^th), then another 5 to next Fridays Addick opponents Fulham (playing Norwich on Saturday) In 22^nd on 7 points. Bournemouth meanwhile sit mid-table on 15 points bunched up with Leeds, Reading and Blackburn.

There is no place on the bench for Simon Church after his brief international appearance resulted in injury, the main impact being his imminent departure has been delayed. The impact of this may be minimal to some, but of course this may be hindering Big Bob’s attempts to bring in fresh blood.

Perhaps more critical for Charlton will be the fitness of Johan Berg Gudmundssen who thankfully did not appear for Iceland over the last week – let’s hope that’s a good thing. No pressure on the lad but he seemed to be part of the jigsaw that helped get vital early wins for Charlton. In contrast Frederic Bulot is returning from International duty in Gabon, and there unlikely to start so perhaps a chance for Callum Harriot to remake is his mark is in the offing.

Prediction – with things as they stand its hard to see how Charlton can come away with anything better than a draw.