Millwall boss expecting tight encounter with Charlton (From News Shopper)

Millwall boss expecting tight encounter with Charlton

9:00am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Millwall By Paul Green

KENNY Jackett predicts Saturday’s derby at Charlton will be a tight affair.

Millwall are on a high following last night's stunning 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final success at Blackburn, a result which booked a Wembley semi-final date with Wigan next month.

But attention now quickly turns to this weekend's Championship encounter in SE7, with Millwall two points behind the Addicks but with two games in hand on their rivals.

A determined defensive display earned Charlton a 0-0 draw when the sides met in December at The Den and the Millwall manager is expecting another close encounter this weekend at The Valley.

Jackett told News Shopper: “It is an early kick-off but I think The Valley will be full.

“We have three thousand fans going, which is fantastic and really good.

“The local derbies have been very, very tight.

“It was tight earlier in the season when we played Charlton and I think this one will be as well.

“Both sides are quite close in the table, although we have a couple of games in hand on them.

“That closeness is what leads me to be believe it will be a very tight and competitive game.

“We should really enjoy these kind of games because they are great occasions.”

Jackett is unbeaten in three-games as Lions manager against Charlton but the Lions chief refuses to read anything into that stat.

He said: “To be fair we haven’t had lots of games against them, although the ones we have had against them and Crystal Palace have been cracking matches with big atmospheres.

“I’m sure this Saturday will be no different.

“Performances look after results and the fluctuation level in our performances has been too much lately, so we need a consistency of performance going forward.

“If we can get consistent performances over a 10-game period, you will win enough games to be able to say you’ve done well.”

And the Millwall manager is full of admiration for what opposite number Chris Powell has done in SE7.

“Chris has done very well,” said Jackett.

“Charlton are a big club and are just one of the many clubs in the Championship now who can boast a Premier League pedigree.

“They spent many years under Alan Curbishley in the Premier League and that is where they will be looking to get back to eventually.

“If you look at the stadium and the crowds they get then they’ve certainly got a lot going for them.

“Their aim will be to use this season as a building block towards them stepping forward.”

Follow @NewsShopperSprt for live updates from Charlton v Millwall on Saturday and all the post-match reaction from both sides.