Liddle old Chesterfield the underdogs at The Valley, but still confident says skipper

The Addicks were relegated at the end of last season and were tipped by many, including Spireites manager Danny Wilson, to go straight back up to the Championship.

Although Russell Slade’s men aren’t in the best of form with just one win in 12 games, Chesterfield skipper Liddle says most people will be anticipating a home win today.

The Town squad, themselves having only won once in 11 outings, are confident of upsetting the odds however.

Liddle said: “We’ve got a good squad, confidence has been hit a little bit with the run we’re on and that can sometimes affect players.

“More often than not it’s the young lads you need to keep on side.

“But we’re going there confident we can sneak something.

“We won’t be expected to get anything, little old Chesterfield going to big old Charlton, but we’re quite sure we can match them in every department and pull off a result.”

Liddle, 30, has never been relegated from League One in his career.

But he has been involved in some close calls and tough seasons.

A run like the one the Spireites are right now on is somewhat familiar territory for the midfielder, so perhaps he’s well qualified to judge when it’s time to panic.

That time hasn’t arrived, he says.

“At Notts County we had a full season of struggle really.

“We changed managers a couple of times, which didn’t help us and we only managed to scrape safety on the last day.

“It’s still early doors, there’s no talk of relegation scraps or anything like that, we’re just in a run where it needs to be put right as quickly as possible.

“The longer it goes on then doubt does start to creep into everyone’s minds.

“It’s important that we try and put it right as quickly as possible.”