CHARLTON columnist MATT FRICKER believes an FA Cup third round trip to Fulham is a near perfect draw for Chris Powell’s men.

ON Sunday afternoon Charlton Athletic were drawn away to Premier League Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup.

The tie very almost gives Chris Powell the ideal of what he wanted after the manager told reporters after the Carlisle game he hoped for a home game against opposition who would challenge his team.

While we’ve been drawn away, the short journey across London is very favourable when compared to some of the locations we could have been required to travel to.

Look at Millwall, who face a trip to either Walsall or Dagengham, while Palace head north to Derby.

What’s more, Fulham aren’t a Premier League team who would be expected to tear the Addicks to shreds.

They’re currently 13th in the table and even though they somehow beat Liverpool 1-0 last night, Fulham were outplayed for long periods.

With the form Chris Powell’s side are currently in with eight wins in a row, you’ve got one hell of a cup tie.

For me, the most interesting prospect of the forthcoming Fulham game will be the chance to see a Premier League team up against an Addicks side who are currently taking no prisoners on the pitch.

There’s always been a lot of comparison between the clubs.

While London rivals, we have a good natured history with the Cottagers and played a similar style of football in our early Premier League years.

The key difference between the two has always been money, as thanks to Mohamed Al-Fayed, Fulham have been able to sustain their life as a side in the top flight who are now regularly accustomed to challenging for European football.

Charlton’s League One revival has been impressing people left, right and centre and I can’t help but think we have a genuinely good chance of reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2008/09 season.

Of course the concern is the Fulham match could have an adverse effect on the Addicks as a win, while enjoyable, would arguably see the cup run become a distraction from our main concern this season - promotion.

This said, if we give the Cottagers a scare and are defeated by a late free-kick, Powell’s men would have every right to leave SW6 with their heads held high and an even greater determination to ensure their day of celebration will come in May.

Come on you Addicks!

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