Introduction
It is fair to say that Charlton’s fortunes in the familiar surroundings of SE7 are not great. A solitary victory over Leceister way back on the 21st August sees the Addicks with the second worse home record in the whole division. Positives can be gleamed from when Chris Powell’s men take to the road though, draws with Leeds and Wolves would have been grabbed with both hands prior to both kick-offs, yet the fact many were disappointed not to come away with a maximum points haul shows how capable we are. Chris Powell realised changes were needed and made wholesale ones both enforced (Dale Stephens’ injury) and out of choice (moving Lawrie Wilson to right midfield). Whether the gaffer continues with this approach at The Valley will all be revealed when we entertain Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Team
Ricardo Fuller’s injury in the defeat to Barnsley and Dale Stephens’ withdrawal means tactics have changed. A noticeable lack of pace (and quality?) in the centre of the park has seen a shift in Chris Powell’s thinking. Moving Chris Solly back to right-back with Lawrie Wilson playing in front of him and introducing Arsenal youth-product Cedric Evina to the left back berth has balanced the team up. Johnnie Jackson, having recovered from injury is now playing in a more central role with Dorian Dervite attempting to establish himself as a regular marshalling in front of the back four.
Playing a top-three team may see Chris Powell retain the five across the midfield with Bradley Pritchard seemingly preferred to Danny Hollands although if Bradley Wright-Phillips was reintroduced to the fold, Dervite is likely to be the one to make way.
Many fans will demand playing two-up-top at home but if the likes of Kerkar, Jackson and Wilson to an extent, can support Rob Hulse up top we should have enough threat. We’ve created more chances than I can remember in the past two games – we just need to be start converting. Expect the same team Lifers…
The Opposition
Tony Mowbary’s Middlesbrough have had a good start to the season. One of a clutch of teams expecting to challenge for promotion, Boro have the fourth best away record in the league – winning half of all of their games away from The Riverside. Goal threats are obvious up front with ten goals this season being spread across a forward line including Jutkiewicz, Emnes and Scott McDonald and we’ll of course keep a close eye on ex-captain and penalty-over-the-bar-blaster Nicky Bailey who has grabbed a couple already.
Prediction
Decent draws away from home mean nothing if we’re not performing at home. Results in and around us have put real pressure on the team to pick something up in the next two games at The Valley, the crowd needs to play it’s part but more importantly, so do the players. We can’t afford to be on the back foot for 45 minutes before deciding to pull our fingers out, a nice high-tempo from the first minute and we may just get that elusive second victory. 2-1 victory.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
Tough tough game would take a draw
he 'should' get a decent round of applause (saved us the pain of a play off final defeat to the scum) he always put in a decent shift for us and was a popular player imo
as for the game, i fear another 0-1 which will be another Saturday evening ruined.
I'll swear my tits off at him once he starts rolling around on the floor with his head in his hands though.
think we might nick a 1-0
Anyway, first priority should be not to lose, so 4-5-1 and see where we go from there.
Money grabing knob
Decent player though
This is not a prediction, just wishful thinking.
as for the game, start one-up and we'll lose. can see a narrow 1-0 to them, but obviously hope I'm wrong
Would fancy us against Boro with last years XI who I think would give them a game.
But given our morale and league position it isn't the case. CP has a team showing a bit of grit & determination so he will not likely change it. And we wouldn't blame him.
However, I hope there is a sufficent plan B in place. Logic dictates that if we need a goal put BWP up top with Hulse, but that didn't work last time out. If we are looking OK and feeling our way into a tricky fixture, then we need an option that will see us bring the game to them when CP sees fit. Most likely the 60 minute mark. At Wolves Kerkar looked tired half way through the 2nd, and Hulse too. I would not consider taking of Hulse as he is a threat throughout with his height but we should prepare to supply him if Kerk,& Jacko are unsuccessful in doing so.
Basically, USE SOME BLOOMING SUBS FOR ONCE.
Oh, and no boos for Bailey.
I reckon it'll be another draw: 0-0