The reality of Championship football returns this Saturday as Swans head coach Alan Sheehan travels with his squad for this game tomorrow afternoon for a seriously tough fixture at the Valley, Charlton. (Kick Off, Sat 3pm)

The Swans haven’t played Charlton Athletic since 2020 and are undefeated against the Addicks since 2008. No great shakes you may be thinking but that win for Charlton is the only positive in nine meetings between the clubs since 1972 when Charlton beat Swansea 6-0. All wins come by the odd goal for the Swans in these matches. History is one thing but form is the key to exploring this fixture.The Addicks sit in the play offs six points ahead of the Swans who are in thirteenth. This is the thirteenth game of the season with Swansea City on four wins, four draws and forum losses. With a zero goal difference, twelve scored and twelve conceded you really are seeing a very average team on points returned and goals scored.

There have been moments this season but the pattern seems to be indicating a draw or a loss this Saturday will be the eventual outcome. For that to change Sheehan first needs to come up with a strategy that overcomes Charlton manager, Nathan Jones up and at em’ style of play. Their best results so far this season has been the 0-3 away win at Ipswich Town two weeks ago followed by a 1-1 away draw at Hull City. Four away points is never to be sniffed at away from home. Resilience seems to be the key for Nathan Jones and a team spirit that we have seen from his time at Luton Town. Charlton fans won’t mind, they are in a position where their football has been rewarded positively. If most football fans were to be honest their players don’t trip off the tongue.

But it works.

Fourteen goals is their return this season. Last time around Matt Godden was the main man for goals in League One but this season injury has kept him at bay. The thirty four year old has a knee injury which he is finding hard to recover from. A build up of fluid in that area hampering recovery. A fully fit Godden would have been a real threat this season in the Championship. Despite his age it is a big loss for the Addicks. Sonny Carey is on four goals this season with goals being spread around the team. James Bree has weighed in with a couple of goals and is a danger man on the right side of the pitch from a defensive role. He is on loan from Southampton.

Nathan Jones has brought together a side that competes and causes their opposition a number of problems, south London is a tough place to go these days with both Millwall and Charlton having good seasons. We expect Marko Stamenic to be out after family bereavement with Sheehan commenting, "We say, and I say when I'm signing these players, that we'll protect you as a person and it is family first. So that is the most important thing, that he comes back when he's ready to come back." His loss on the pitch will be noticeable he was a driving force in the win against Norwich City last Saturday. With Malick Yalcouyé out suspended Sheehan will be looking towards Ethan Galbraith, Gonçalo Franco or even Jay Fulton to shore up his midfield. The inclusion of Melker Widell should be a must with options lacking. Josh Tymon and Samuels-Smith found themselves on the pitch at the same time against Manchester City but the inclusion of Kaelan Casey is now becoming something that has to be addressed. He slid into the defence in the League Cup so well he surely has given Sheehan something to think about with possibly Ben Cabango, Cameron Burgess, Kaelan Casey three with Josh Key and Josh Tymon either side ?

That would be Swansea fans preferred line up at the back as it stands with the two Josh’s being utilised as a more attacking threat. The midfield as stated, Widell, Franco and or Galbraith complimented with a threatening wide player, maybe two as an outlet, then Zān Vipotnik up front. There you go three points in the bag … Who said this lark was hard work ?

Seriously though anything from this game would be a bonus, it’s an away trip with people still ready to judge Sheehan and to an extent you can see why. There are three league games to go before another international break, this one then Preston away on Wednesday followed by Ipswich Town at home. Swan fans will have their own idea of what would be a good return from these potential nine points. Two away draws and a win would be fine of course, but this season the way it is going states - Win, lose, draw that’s four points. Sheehan needs to get out of this habit including preserving leads with far too much time to go in games, last Saturday we saw a defensive mindset from the eightieth minute at least. If that’s the case then a fired up Nathan Jones Charlton will most certainly see that as red rag to a bull. Kelman and Olaofe For the Addicks are a danger, there’s no place for caution. Attendances have sat around twenty thousand ish for home games at the Valley, a huge resurgence in interest in the Addicks. That should be the same this coming Saturday with a healthy away support making their way to the game.

This will be one hell of a tough fixture for Swansea City.

Jones : Previously licensed, Action Images, Reauers, Sheehan Swansea Independent

johnjubal1958 added 18:47 - Oct 30 Great insight how Sheezy may look at these possible options and think the shoe is on the other foot regarding Nathan Jones. We are going there to cause them problems and to with this game outright and take all 3pts. The team is full of confidence as everyone knows their requirements as they've set the standard. The second half against QPR half was exception considering we we down to 10 men. We dominated the game in the middle of park and the defence was solid. We did enough to overcome Norwich City, and the score 1-3 flattered Man City! Against a top side like that the boy's put in a really good shift. If Windell put away his chance the outcome could have been different. It was also Josh Key's best performance of the season as he tied Doku who couldn't get around or past Key. He's found his creative side too that led to our goal against Man City. It was the same on the other side with Tymo. There were many many positives from all these games and it looks Sheezy has found his best starting 11. Of course there's no such thing these day's with so many games right, but I'm sure a lot of good teams in the Championship would love to have Sheezy's headache 😀! They're starting to gel together nicely now and I personally believe we can beat any team in this home or away. There's a great all around balance to the team and the confidence they now have gives them the ability to what all players like to do. That is to say, go out on the park as a team and take the game to them and doing the very thing Sheezy wants them to do. If they want to play in that starting team then they got earn the right to do so. Compensation amongst the player's is what it's all about right! This team can do it and Sheezy must install that belief into each player and a mindset before each and every game. We are a very good side who are well able, and all the player's have to do is go and do it! Not with over the season mindset but before every game. It's a long haul of a season so why concerning yourself with that. Progression one step at a time. We will take knocks along the way and those who come in are not replacements but deserve to be in there based on their unique individual abilities. The whole team is good enough that is why we have brought them in. Windell has stepped up to the place so why not give Wales a chance and see what he can produce. He's in the squad do give 15mins here and there to show us what he can do. Sometimes we under estimate young players I believe and I have known many as we all have who took their opportunities with both hands! Come on Ye Swans 📢 👏⚽🦢🫶(

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