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Charlton Ath v Brighton & Hove Albion | 26/12/13 | League | Preview, Views and Line Ups | 12.30 KO
Henry Irving
Posts: 85,221
The Introduction
There was a time when boxing day games were something special. The Covered End would be full of fans wearing newly gifted jumpers and the terrace would reek of the Brut aftershave found in stockings the day before.
It would also be a biggish derby game. It was "and we shall fight for every more because of Boxing Day" for a reason.
It may now no longer have that local significance and young fans are more likely to be playing with iPads that setting up scalectrix but the four games in 11 days just before the transfer window opens can still make or break a season. Or a manager.
The Opposition
The Seagulls seemingly took a while to get over the hangover of losing in the play-off semis to their "local" rivals and the swift and scatalogical departure of Diego's dad. But since November they have been on a steady run. The failure to score v Huddersfield on Saturday keeps them just outside the play-off zone along with a host of other "nearly" teams in this division.
New head coach Oscar Garcia has retaining the passing style used last term but Charlton matched the Albion home and away last season. The visitors needed a deflected free-kick to earn a point in a 2 - 2 draw at the Valley while The Addicks put in one of their best away performances to earn a 0 - 0 at the Amex.
Brighton have Barnes scoring up front and Bridcut pulling the strings in front of the back four but they, unlike Charlton, also have the option of alternatives such as Lua Lua and Ulloa on the bench. That could make all the difference
The Line Up
Depending, it seems, on your view of the manager the result at Bolton was either a hard won point or two thrown away by lack of ambition.
Regardless, with the cupboard so bare that even Jordan Cook gets a shirt, the starting XI is likely to stay the same.
Sordell will be available again and could be on the bench given there are no other experienced forwards available. Pigott was unwell but could also feature if recovered. Stewart limped off late at the Reebok so there could be a late decision on his fitness. With Smith returning and Dwyer a possible loan signing but both not until January a few strikers have something to play for but talisman Kermorgant is back in the goals and is unlikely to be dropped.
Pritchard was a star in both Brighton games last season. Scoring his first league goal at the Valley and then, in the return leg, negating Bridcut by sitting on him all game. Powell might be tempted to see if BP can do the same this year but a similar tactic v Derby where he was asked to stop the Rams' John Eustace didn't come off and Bradley doesn't look the same player as he was in the run in last term.
Michael Morrison and Dale Stephens are walking the five card suspension tightrope having picked up four yellows. The skipper is missing the last of his three game ban.
Alnwick pulled off some excellent saves in the north-west and has yet to be at fault for a goal. Even if Hamer is fit anything more than a place on the bench for Ben H. would appear very harsh on Ben A.
The return of Wood and Solly is a big boost however. The solid run of results in October coincided almost exactly with Wood's appearances and we have yet to lose a league in which he has played. Solly is, well, Chris Solly. 'Nuff said.
The Prediction
Cousins and Morrison on the score sheet in an open 2 - 2 game
There was a time when boxing day games were something special. The Covered End would be full of fans wearing newly gifted jumpers and the terrace would reek of the Brut aftershave found in stockings the day before.
It would also be a biggish derby game. It was "and we shall fight for every more because of Boxing Day" for a reason.
It may now no longer have that local significance and young fans are more likely to be playing with iPads that setting up scalectrix but the four games in 11 days just before the transfer window opens can still make or break a season. Or a manager.
The Opposition
The Seagulls seemingly took a while to get over the hangover of losing in the play-off semis to their "local" rivals and the swift and scatalogical departure of Diego's dad. But since November they have been on a steady run. The failure to score v Huddersfield on Saturday keeps them just outside the play-off zone along with a host of other "nearly" teams in this division.
New head coach Oscar Garcia has retaining the passing style used last term but Charlton matched the Albion home and away last season. The visitors needed a deflected free-kick to earn a point in a 2 - 2 draw at the Valley while The Addicks put in one of their best away performances to earn a 0 - 0 at the Amex.
Brighton have Barnes scoring up front and Bridcut pulling the strings in front of the back four but they, unlike Charlton, also have the option of alternatives such as Lua Lua and Ulloa on the bench. That could make all the difference
The Line Up
Depending, it seems, on your view of the manager the result at Bolton was either a hard won point or two thrown away by lack of ambition.
Regardless, with the cupboard so bare that even Jordan Cook gets a shirt, the starting XI is likely to stay the same.
Sordell will be available again and could be on the bench given there are no other experienced forwards available. Pigott was unwell but could also feature if recovered. Stewart limped off late at the Reebok so there could be a late decision on his fitness. With Smith returning and Dwyer a possible loan signing but both not until January a few strikers have something to play for but talisman Kermorgant is back in the goals and is unlikely to be dropped.
Pritchard was a star in both Brighton games last season. Scoring his first league goal at the Valley and then, in the return leg, negating Bridcut by sitting on him all game. Powell might be tempted to see if BP can do the same this year but a similar tactic v Derby where he was asked to stop the Rams' John Eustace didn't come off and Bradley doesn't look the same player as he was in the run in last term.
Michael Morrison and Dale Stephens are walking the five card suspension tightrope having picked up four yellows. The skipper is missing the last of his three game ban.
Alnwick pulled off some excellent saves in the north-west and has yet to be at fault for a goal. Even if Hamer is fit anything more than a place on the bench for Ben H. would appear very harsh on Ben A.
The return of Wood and Solly is a big boost however. The solid run of results in October coincided almost exactly with Wood's appearances and we have yet to lose a league in which he has played. Solly is, well, Chris Solly. 'Nuff said.
The Prediction
Cousins and Morrison on the score sheet in an open 2 - 2 game
3
Comments
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Comfortable home win 4-0.1
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Good news . I can't make this one and the only other two i missed was Leicester and Doncaster ( the rematch) and we won both of them. 2-0 win0
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Would love to see us try 4231
Willson-moro-woods-wiggins
--------solly----evina--------
----dale --- cousins --- Stewart
----------kermegant-----------
Telling willson and wiggins to attack with freedom and the safety of being able to use solly and evina to cover to become a 4141
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Interesting formation but you have to have Solly at right back. Morrisson at right centre defence and Wood at left centre back. Not sure Wilson is disciplined enough to protect the centre of midfield.mathew_davey said:Would love to see us try 4231
Willson-woods-moro-wiggins
--------solly----evina--------
----dale --- cousins --- Stewart
----------kermegant-----------
Telling willson and wiggins to attack with freedom and the safety of being able to use solly and evina to cover to become a 41410 -
Yer got them round the wrong way lol yer ideally solly should be at right back but my thinking is that solly is more than capable of doing the defencive work when willson is out of position0
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Hope we can avoid defeat in this and then win the six pointer on Sunday.
Optimistic I realise and this is Charlton. Never do it the easy way!0 -
We have to win, our diabolical home form needs to improve0
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unchanged team & a much needed win, 2-10
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Sordell to come on and score the winner
Merry Christmas0 -
0-00
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2-1 to CP's Red and White Army0
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Bonus points from this game , it's all about the Wednesday matching Sunday...
Take a point
1-1 at best0 -
I'm struggling to imagine winning either of the next two games on current form. Four points would be fantastic, but I fear that we will be playing not to lose. We will need more than 1 point a game, this is a good time to take a positive attitude. COYR0
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unchanged Addicks team:
CAFC 1 v Brighton & Hove Albion 10 -
Much more rain and this match will be posponed.0
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If it's not postponed we'll lose 3-00
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Lose 2-0.0
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This will have goals in it ...hopefully we will get some.
2-2, Yann double0 -
When did we last win on Boxing Day? Let's hope it happens this year... 2-1 COYA!0
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I remember us beating Chelsea...1
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I remember a 4-2 - how things have changedSaga Lout said:I remember us beating Chelsea...
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Game postponed 8am in Boxing Day (unless D'Urso is the ref then it will be 12 noon) which will make sure we're well prepared for The Wendies unless of course that's called off too!0
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A home game.............0.1 it is then!0
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Be not afraid, for it is written. The addicks will win the next 3 on the spin for a very welcome 9 points. Have faith. It will come to pass.0
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Davo has been on the sherry, Davo has been on the sherry,0
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2-0 Home win starts the promotion push. COYR's0
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Lua Lua always seems to cause us problems but is suspended.
1 - 0 win. (Kermorgant 57) after being set up by Stewart.0 -
O ye of little faith. Miracles can and will happen.throughthickandthin said:Davo has been on the sherry, Davo has been on the sherry,
Now, pass the sherry again please......
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Another one of those games where we do well and they score and we lose 1-00
