CHARLTON manager Alan Curbishley has sympathised with supporters ahead of the club's gruelling Christmas and New Year fixture schedule and condemned it as "crazy".

After the Boxing Day home game against Arsenal on December 26, the Addicks head for Newcastle on Wednesday, December 28 before playing their final game of 2005 when West Ham visit The Valley for a London derby on Saturday, December 31.

Charlton open the New Year against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday, January 2.

Curbishley said: "We're travelling 1,000 miles in two away trips which is tough. Not so much on the team because it's part of what we do, but for the supporters. It's crazy.

"It's unkind to us and the Premier League do need to have a look at this. Perhaps that's why the number of travelling fans is dwindling because people just can't do it or afford it."

* FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE VALLEY SEE THIS WEEK'S BEXLEY EXTRA.