I went to this game last year....it was Lee Bowyer's first game in temporary charge....Charlton had been struggling before he was given the task of looking after them between managers.
I have a confession to make....I have tried to bring my son up right and proper...but he was born up this way in 1970 and in the late 70's early 80's I used to take him and his mate down the old Valley ground....they used to get bored in the early years and used to enjoy running up and down the giant banking that used to face the main stand.
Fast-Track forward to last years game...I felt reasonably confident of a result.....my son and grandson Charlton season ticket holders, didn't expect much from the game....Charlton had been falling away badly...and had just sacked their manager and Bowyer was in charge for the match.
It was humiliating...we were sitting directly behind the Argyle goal and as we all know Argyle were blown away in the first few minutes and were soon 2-0 down...but I still had faith that we could turn it around....I had told my son and grandson that Argyle were not to be messed with and that we would turn it around.....like hell...it was all Charlton....how they didn't score more is a miracle....we never ever turn up and I have had to live with the disgrace ever since.
So this coming Saturday the ritual will continue....Lee Bowyer has been doing a good job and is in charge for the whole season and they are 6th in the league....on the other hand Argyle are bottom of the league with 3pts from 8 games....the only team in the division without a win....lowest goal scorers....leakiest defence....Adams has no idea what his best team is...it is a total mess.
I can't just feign an illness, because I'm never ill, I will be going.....we will be sitting behind the goal again, and will I, be subjected to the same humiliation as last year....at my age I'm not sure if I would survive another thrashing at the hands of Charlton.
Charlton are still in turmoil over their Belgium owner...demonstrations and a strong supporters club trying their hardest to get a new owner in.....in the meanwhile the team just keeps on playing without hinderance of all that behind the scenes hassle.
The last nail in the coffin is that they have bought Argyle's No1 dread....LYLE TAYLOR.....why oh why can I not break a leg or something before Saturday.