Warnock shocked by Charlton's fall from grace

Just like the rest of the footballing world, the Crystal Palace boss has looked on in stunned disbelief as a team who regularly finished in the top half of the Premiership have gone to the brink of dropping into League One in the space of three years.

Charlton are rock bottom of the Championship going into the Palace game and Warnock has few answers to explain the Addicks' fall from grace.

He said: "You can't tell me they haven't got the players who can get out of it because they have, so he will know they have the ability to get out of if they can close some results out.

"I thought Charlton should have been in the top three last year and I thought they would have been pushing the top six this year so yes I am surprised by their position, very surprised with the squad they have and the money they've spent.

"We couldn't let it happen like that because we haven't got parachute payments anyhow.

"Everybody wanted to be a Charlton in the Premiership because they really put their house in order, had some good kids and also the experienced lads."

Warnock added: "I think Bolton did the same but Charlton always played a brand of football which, to be fair, they still play good football.

"But it is difficult like anything else when you are on a run one way or the other, it is difficult to get out of.

"It is difficult to stop winning when you are winning every game and that is the magic of football.

"One week you don't think you are ever going to win a game and then the next week you can't ever see yourself losing one again.

"I would rather have the latter than the previous obviously."

It seems a long time ago now since Alan Curbishley quit SE7 after 15 years of loyal service, but Warnock had a warning to Charlton fans who may now have an overly sentimental view of Curbs' reign.

He explained: "The problem is fans always look at the best times, they forget the end of the Alan Curbishley regime.

"I think they had a nightmare run the last 15 or 20 games after Christmas with Alan, so it wasn't all rosy, but I don't think anybody could have envisaged the situation that they are in now because they have always been a well-run club with a great fan base.

"They have given me stick but I like the stadium.

"The atmosphere is very, very good because they are right on top of you and that is what I call old fashioned football going back in time where you could hear every comment, albeit some rude."

Crystal Palace will be looking to complete a rare double over their bitter rivals following a 1-0 triumph over the Addicks earlier in the campaign.

However, despite being favourites, Warnock is warning his play-off chasing side to take nothing for granted on what promises to be an electric encounter.

The Eagles chief said: "Charlton were the best team we played last year away from home.

"I know they will be looking to kick-start their season with a win. I think Charlton would swap our position if I'm honest.

"It is nice to be going there in our situation and make no mistake, we will want to win the game.

"We've had some tasty games against Charlton. This year was the first time we had beaten them in donkeys years at Selhurst, so it is an opportunity.

"Local rivalry is like that, they are the games you go into as a manager.

"It is the only place I can go and not be the number one most hated man if the chairman turns up. I hope he is going."

Warnock added: "They will be hoping form counts for nothing and quite rightly so. They've got my ex-skipper Mark Hudson as well, so there are one or two tasty little encounters.

"He has got to hope they will play better than they have been, but they have had opportunities in the last few games.

"They've been very unlucky in a number of games going back to when Parky first took over and the Derby County game.

"How they didn't win that game I will never know and there have been a lot of others where they have played quite well and just conceded goals.

"I don't think there is much in it for any team right up to the top.

"Charlton could quite easily beat Wolves this Saturday if they were playing and likewise anybody else. I'm just looking for a cracking game.

"Derbies are never just another game, it is a derby and that is what it is all about for players, managers and fans. I'm sure the players are aware of the rivalry. I'm aware and I'm from Sheffield.

"I have spoken to Phil a number of times since he got the job and I like him. I wouldn't give him any advice before Tuesday, though, I will speak to him after."