As we know, the games come thick and fast in The Championship but just writing this blog has given me a tiny insight into turning thoughts to the next game already! The winning feeling doesn’t seem to last that long when it comes to work but on the flip side, I guess you can get a defeat out of your system equally as fast.

I’ve not seen much of Charlton this season but I did watch their play off semi final at Doncaster in May and I was really impressed with the football that they played on that day. Their striker Lyle Taylor looked really useful and he looks full of confidence given the way he clinched his last minute equalising penalty against Barnsley on Saturday. Confidence supreme!

Like Lee Bowyer as a player himself, his Charlton team not only play with quality but with a bit of needle when required too. Forest won’t have an easier game all season than they did on Saturday so they’ll have to be fully switched on. Charlton have started the campaign well and will still have that promotion bounce inside them. It could well be a rude awakening if we’re resting on our laurels but I don’t think Sabri Lamouchi will allow this. With Dawson and Watson in the team also, complacency shouldn’t be an issue.

I’ve spoken with the SE7 Charlton podcast to get their thoughts on Wednesdays game;

How is your season shaping up following preseason? Friendlies, form, signings, etc. What are your expectations for season?

Preseason was a bit of a mixed bag. Ending it with a thumping 4-1 defeat to Villa didn’t inspire many with hope for the season but the way we have started has surprised everyone, even our own fans! Many after preseason expected us to go down but with 7 points off three tough teams it will be impossible to predict where we will end up this year.

What was Charlton’s performance like in your previous game?

Our first games against Blackburn and Stoke we won because we stopped the opposition playing their football. We had used experienced players like Darren Pratley to mark threats out of the game and he did it superbly. However against Barnsley we attacked and went at them a bit more, leaving us occasionally exposed at the back and as a result we gave away sloppy goals. However the grit Lee Bowyer has inspired in our team meant that we still managed to find a point right at the death, which is always pleasing to see.

What are the key strengths and weaknesses of Charlton team? Who do forest fans need to be worried about the most?

As mentioned before, our strength is the character of our squad. We never know when we are beaten. Most fans will think about Wembley when we managed to win it so late on and that was the story of last year. So many late goals when many thought it was all over and it has continued into this year. Forest need to be scared if they are only one goal up because the likes of Lyle Taylor and Jonny Williams can produce out of nowhere very late on. Forest certainly need to exploit the fact our defence is composed of mostly new players who are still gelling with the squad. We have seen mistakes from Deji and Lockyer which over the season may be ironed out but right now they could be vulnerable.

What are your thoughts on Forest? Who do you see as our main threat or best player and why?

Forest truly are a sleeping giant in the league. A team with such a big fan base and history really should be looking up the table and not down, hopefully they will be back to where they belong one day. In terms of threats its hard to look past the man leading the line: Lewis Grabban. A bit of a journeyman at this level but he knows how to find the net, and being supported by talent like Lolley he will certainly prove to be a handful for our defence. I’m looking forward to seeing his battle with our skipper Jason Pearce!

What would you give the clubs rivalry with Forest out of 10? 1 – being your 2nd team 5 – being a mutual respect and 10 – your most hated rival.

I would say 4. I always liked Forest as a club and hope they do well, but Charlton and Forest rarely clash. I’ve enjoyed train rides from the ground chatting to Forest fans and I’ve seen some great games. No real dislike from our side on the whole.

Most memorable encounter with Forest and why?

Charlton 1-1 Forest in October 2013. It was a Tuesday game under the lights and the atmosphere in the home end was great. Charlton were struggling in the Championship that season and Forest came into the game the strong favourites. Former Addick Andy Reid scored after 90 seconds or so but our fans didn’t quieten down for a moment. The pulsing atmosphere at the Valley visibly inspired our team to come back at our visitors and outplay them with worse players man-for-man. Although we didn’t win I will always remember the noise from the Covered End and the excitement from that evening. It was what Charlton was all about.

Predictions for Tuesday?

You can never count on Charlton to obey the odds. I will say 2-1 the Addicks. Lyle Taylor too keep up his scoring streak and make it 4 in 4.

I’m perhaps being greedy after Saturday’s win but if Forest can play as well as a collective once more, I think this is the more winnable game out of our next two trips to London. I’m going to go for a 1-0 win with Grabban to hit the target once more for Forest.

Many thanks to the SE7 Charlton Pod for their contributions, it’s most appreciated. You can find more of their thoughts on Charlton here; https://www.mixcloud.com/se7pod/