Cottagers clash before youth cup startsCharlton U18s kick off a big week for the academy with a derby at Fulham on Saturday (11am).
The Addicks returned to action last Saturday after a weekend without a game, and suffered a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at Sparrows Lane.
So they will aim to bounce back to winning ways against the Cottagers before kicking off their FA Youth Cup campaign at Soham Town Rangers less than 48 hours later.
Academy director Paul Hart and academy manager Steve Avory opted not to investigate moving the Fulham fixture on the schedule, so the club's youngsters are braced for a busy few days.
And Avory admitted the duo had to administer some strong words at half-time of the defeat against Arsenal.
The Addicks were far from their fluent selves in the opening period, and found themselves a goal down thanks to Anthony Jeffrey's strike eight minutes before the break.
"You would expect Arsenal to have some good periods of possession football, because they have players who can build from the back and play good one or two-touch football and support each other well," said Steve.
"They got a grip of the game very early on, and the disappointing thing was that we were standing off them a little bit too much, particularly in the midfield areas. It wasn't as though they really created anything and got in behind us, though.
"The first goal was evidence that we didn't get close enough and that was an occasion on the edge of the box when we stood off their player, which allowed him the chance to get a good shot away."
There was plenty to ponder at the break, with Avory adding: "We had to have some sharp words with the lads at half-time, which has not been something we have had to do regularly throughout this season.
"We changed the shape as well, and to the player's credit, they responded, but we don't want it to be that way.
"They have got to be on the front foot ready for the physical confrontation and challenges from the first minute."
After Tobi Sho-Silva levelled matters, a rejuvenated Charlton looked a good bet to go on and win the game, particularly when Adebayo Azeez was sent clear to round the Gunners goalkeeper, only to have his shot cleared off the line by a defender.
To make matters worse, Arsenal, largely second best in the second period, hit back in the closing stages and grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.
"We decided we would try to get an earlier ball into our front players after the break, and, most importantly, we wanted to make sure we won the ball more often and didn't allow Arsenal the same kind of room," continued Steve.
"We deservedly got the equaliser, having threatened since the restart, and in that 10-minute period after the equaliser I thought we would go on to win the game. I think everyone at the game thought we had won it with Ade's chance, but it wasn't to be."
Fulham, who rose to the top of their regional group with a win against West Ham United last weekend, are next on the agenda for a Charlton side that has suffered just one away loss this season.
"This group is a very tight group, and I noticed after last weekend's games that there are only two points between the top five," noted Avory.
"All the games in this section are tough games, and that continues with Fulham.
"The way the results went on Saturday meant we dropped down a little bit, but we've got an excellent opportunity over these next two weeks.
"We've got a fantastic seven days to look forward to in terms of matches. We have Fulham, who at the moment are riding high at the top, then the FA Youth Cup, which everybody looks forward to every season, and then we have Crystal Palace, who are in second place at the moment."
Charlton last met Fulham in pre-season, when Joe Pigott hit a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory at Motspur Park. Sho-Silva was also on target that day and the Addicks claimed four points against the Cottagers last season.
At Motspur Park on November 6th last year, Sho Silva's 30th-minute goal proved decisive in a 1-0 success, and honours ended even between the two sides at Sparrows Lane in April thanks to a late leveller from Harry Osborne.
Avory continued: "The pitch there is fantastic and they have some good facilities.
"We played very well in our final pre-season match against them back in August. That gave us every right to be confident about the season, but that's gone now.
"We are 10 matches in now, and we've noticed that Fulham have had a good start to the season. I'm not surprised by that because they have got some good players. Their academy manager Kit Symons always has them very well organised."
After Fulham, it's off to Julius Martin Lane to take on Soham in the first round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday (7.45pm).
Tickets are priced £3 adults and £2 concessions for the game, which comes hot on the heels of the league clash against Fulham, and a full preview of the cup match will appear on the official website on Monday morning.
http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/academydetail/0,,10267~2503970,00.html?
