Hatters striker predicts Charlton upset

STRIKER Taiwo Atieno believes Town are more than capable of causing an FA Cup second round upset when they travel to League One title-chasers Charlton Athletic at the weekend, writes Mike Simmonds.

The Addicks are currently second in the table, and were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, the first points they had dropped in five league games.

Atieno has played at the Valley in the FA Cup before, as a 68th-minute substitute for Rochdale during a 4-1 third round defeat in 2005.

He said: “We want to go there and beat a League One team and get a Premier League club, that’s what the FA Cup is all about.

“There’s not that much difference between Charlton and Luton, we’ve got to go there and do what we do best.

“I played there when they were in the Premier League and had a better team.

“I know (Paul) Benson a bit from my time at Dagenham & Redbridge, while assistant manager Mark Kinsella was assistant at Walsall when I was there.

“So I know a bit about the club and it’s not far from my auntie’s as well!”

Although fellow striker Jason Walker is missing the game as he is cup-tied due to playing for Barrow in the earlier rounds, he is also backing his new team-mates.

He said: “They are massive games. I’ve played in massive games over the last few seasons, we played Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup.

“You do want to play in the big stadiums and against the big teams. Charlton are one of the big teams, especially in League One.

“I’m gutted I’ll miss it, but I’m sure the lads will put on a good show.”

Boss Richard Money, added: “I think it’s very similar to the Southampton game last season.

“It’s a game to turn the fans and players on and I’m sure we’ll take an excellent following.”

Early yesterday, Luton had already sold 2,400 tickets.