'It will be tough' - Charlton preview

BIG-MONEY MOVE . . . Charlton's Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis (right) was a target for Athletic boss Stephen Robinson

CHARLTON nicked two potential players from under Athletic's nose during the summer and now, boss Stephen Robinson is plotting to take away three points from tonight's visit to The Valley.

The money being asked for Kilmarnock striker target Josh Magennis became too hot to handle for Athletic after an initial bid was rejected.

And like Leeds loan winger Jordan Botaka, who also interested Robinson, he ended up moving to the newly-relegated Addicks instead of to SportsDirect.com Park.

The different financial sphere Charlton operate in can be viewed by a substitutes' bench which, for the last outing at Oxford, featured two players who hit 38 goals between them in League One last season: ex-Swindon star Nicky Ajose and former Chesterfield forward Lee Novak.

So while Russell Slade's side have failed to win in six games in all competitions, Athletic are under no illusions as to their task.

'UP AGAINST'

"I believe they signed Josh for close to £300,000 in the end, so that tells you the level Charlton are at and what we are up against," said Robinson, who worked with Northern Ireland international Magennis during Euro 16.

"Their bench speaks volumes for what they have been able to bring in and they haven't quite clicked, but I saw them last Tuesday night (at leaders Scunthorpe in a 0-0 draw) and they are a good footballing side.

"They get balls forward early, but mix it up as well and Josh is a threat - a big, big handful.

"We are well aware of it and well prepared. Whatever way we dress it up, it will be a tough game."

While Charlton have not won since August 20 - the same day Athletic picked up their sole win at Bury - goalkeeper Declan Rudd believes that there isn't much wrong.

"We are coming away from games with draws where we are feeling like we should win the game - which is a good sign," Rudd told the South London Press.

"If you are playing games and hanging on for our lives to stay in them you would be worried. I can't really say there is a game we have come away thinking we have been really outplayed."

PLAYER GUIDE . . .

Addicks defender Harry Lennon was sent off late on at Oxford and serves a one-match ban tonight.

Jason Pearce, promoted last season with Wigan, could recover from a head injury to step into the breach, while Ricky Holmes - a £675,000 summer signing from Northampton - may come back on the wing to supply the front line.

HEAD TO HEAD . . .

Athletic eight wins, 19 draws, 21 defeats.

LAST MEETING . . .

Saturday, December 17, 2011: Charlton 1 (Darel Russell 60), Athletic 1 (Filipe Morais 84)

TACTICS BOARD . . .

With pace out wide and physicality and an eye for goal up front, Charlton will look to play at a fast tempo and Athletic must be quicker to press than they were against Swindon. Wimbledon, aided by striker Dominic Poleon, won 2-1 at The Valley earlier this month to show what's possible.

LINE-UP . . . 4-4-2

Rudd; Solly, Pearce, Bauer, Fox; Holmes, Ulvestad, Jackson, Lookman; Magennis, Ajose.