Preview: Watford v Charlton

By Rob Virtue on August 15, 2008 12:33 PM |

Tagged with:

CHARLTON prepare for Saturday's clash with Watford without Jerome Thomas.

The tricky winger signed a season-long loan contract with Portsmouth on Friday morning.

But one man who is set for his Addicks debut is new signing Nicky Bailey.

Fans can expect a close game as every previous match between managers Ade Boothroyd and Alan Pardew has ended in a draw.

But Charlton boss Pardew believes it should be a good game of football due to Watford, who drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace last week, changing their style of play.

Pardew said: "They are less direct. Ade has decided to play a more fluid game. They played that against Palace and I think they were the better team. They should have won it, but Neil Warnock won't agree."

Mark Hudson and John Fortune are both likely to be fit for the match at Vicarage Road on August 16, following recent knocks.

Hameur Bouazza is likely to get his first league start for Charlton, at his former club.

Up front, Andy Gray and Luke Varney would be preferred choice with Chris Dickson on the bench.

Svetoslav Todorov is still about two weeks away from first team football.

At the time of going to press Watford were trying to secure the signing of Southampton's striker Grzegorz Rasiak.