Millwall derby can wait as Powell turns focus on Terriers

Charlton Athletic's manager Chris Powell. Photo credit: Barrington Coombs/EMPICS

Friday, November 23, 2012
5:56 PM

Chris Powell understands that excitement is already growing about next weekend’s south London derby against Millwall but says won’t get distracted by that with Huddersfield and Peterborough set to visit The Valley before that.

Charlton host the Terriers tomorrow as the start off a busy three-game week culminating in a trip to the New Den seven days later.

The manager knows that success at in the capital clash is a high priority but he says his focus is on the Yorkshire side.

“We know the fans are going to be looking at Millwall for sure, but we are looking at Huddersfield first. That’s what we have got to do,” Powell told cafc.co.uk.

“We have got to make sure we get through that with a clean bill of health, then pick the right team against Peterborough and after that we will look at Millwall.

“We know they [Millwall] are on a terrific run, they really are, so we will see what happens to them in the next two games.

“It’s three games in a week, it’s nine points so things can quickly change. We want to keep our good run of form going, and we will look forward to that Millwall game once the whistle blows against Peterborough.”

Following three consecutive victories against Burnley, Bristol City and Cardiff, Powell says his side are starting to get to grips with the Championship after suffering a seven-game winless start to life back in the second tier.

“We haven’t turned a corner but we are just peaking around it,” Powell said, adding: “We are in a good position and we are a few points off the play-offs. In all things in life you have got to look forward - you have to look up.”

Tomorrow’s opponents the Terriers were also promoted last season along with Charlton after winning the League One play-offs and they sit four points ahead of the south London side and two places outside the top six.

Powell said: “They’ve made a very good start and have settled in very well.

“They are four points ahead of us and have had a really good start to life in the Championship.

“It’s a tough game. We had two rip-roaring games against them last year and away from home was a tough one, especially when we went down to 10 men. We played ever so well at home, though.

“I remember Hogan Ephraim playing his first game and scoring, and we ended their run under Lee Clark.

“It’s a tough game for us and we know our home form has been mixed to say the least, but our last home game was one that will live long in the memory.

“It’s now for us to try and emulate what we’ve been doing on the road, and I think that’s a big thing for us.

“Huddersfield come here on Saturday, quickly followed by Peterborough, and they are two tough games in different ways. It will be nice for us to carry on what we’ve done recently with three wins. We will be looking to make it four, but it will be a tough game.”