Charlton vs Oxford Utd | Match Preview (GAME POSTPONED AGAIN - NEW DATE: TUE 14 JAN @ 7.45)

StubleyAddick · January 2014

The first home fixture of 2014 will hopefully take place this Saturday as Charlton face Oxford United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. It will be the second time that these two teams have faced each other in a cup competition after the Addicks defeated Oxford 4-0 at the Valley in the Capital One Cup in August.

The game is subject to a pitch inspection however after a week of heavy rain in South-East London. The official statement reads: “The inspection will take place within the next 24 hours and any decision regarding the fixture will be announced as soon as possible.”

The Opposition

This Oxford United side will cause a lot more problems than the one we faced in August. The capabilities that the U’s have has seen them rise to the play-off places in League Two and with a game in hand which if won could take them into the automatic spots.

Some of the ability that Oxford posses include the strike-force of James Constable and the allegedly ‘secret-footballer’ Dave Kitson. The duo has enough experience and danger to cause the Addicks a few problems this weekend as well as another striker in Deane Smalley who has scored five league goals this season.

Another player to look out for is centre-back and skipper Jake Wright who was once linked with a possible move to the Valley a few years ago.

Player to Watch

The player to watch this weekend is Oxford United striker James Constable. The 29-year-old has scored seven league goals this season and nine in all competitions. Constable is described as a “big, powerful frontman with bags of pace" and will no doubt cause the Addicks a few problems this weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdsTYcdsmCw

The Line –Up

I’d imagine that if the game does go ahead, then Chris Powell will no doubt rest a few players this weekend.

In goal, Powell may give a start to Ben Hamer as he returned to the squad in midweek as a substitute and temporarily drop Ben Alnwick who has been impressive in his spell as goalkeeper.

At the back, Chris Solly will probably be rested so Lawrie Wilson will come back to right-back. Dorian Dervite will probably replace one of Richard Wood/Michael Morrison while Cedric Evina will be contesting the left-back spot with Rhoys Wiggins.

In midfield, after his decent substitute appearance on New Year's Day, Jordan Cook may be selected on the left wing whilst skipper Johnnie Jackson will probably be selected in the middle of midfield ahead of either Jordan Cousins or Dale Stephens. On the right-side, one of Danny Green or Bradley Pritchard is likely to fulfil that role.

Upfront, with Marvin Sordell injured and Michael Smith cup-tied (I think!) it means that Joe Pigott is likely to replace Yann Kermorgant who may be rested, resulting in Pigott probably being upfront with Simon Church.

The Prediction

A 2-0 victory for the Addicks. 4

Bedsaddick · January 2014

I doubt very much the game will be on but if it is and we rest several players i think we will struggle. What with the pitch , the disdain we treat this competition and our record in the cup you have to fancy Oxford at 9-2.

ValleyGary · January 2014

Charlton Athletic P - P Oxford United

Granpa · January 2014

WE HAVE A DECISION. Apparently the two chancers have decided to open the pitch as a Boating Lake for the weekend. They feel it could be a nice little earner.

Pedro45 · January 2014

If it does go ahead, I would like to see this side start -

Alnwick
Wilson Morrison Dervite Evina
Pritchard Poyet Jackson
Cook Pigott Sho-Silva

With Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Wood, Hughes, Stephens, Cousins, Kermorgant, and Church chosen from to warm the bench if it all went pear-shaped.

nth_london_addick · January 2014

if it happens the same squad as played them in the league cup will be likely, can see Muldoon and poyet getting on the bench

Lincsaddick · January 2014

That's an inventive line-up @stubleyAddick .. I'd give Cousins a rest, play Pritchard in there and perhaps give Lennon a debut .. I am usually loath to see too many changes after a successful run, but the holiday programme has been a tough one and there are some hard games just over the horizon.
Oxford's form has recently been poor but I fancy them to get a draw, pitch permitting

CAFC 2 v Oxford United 2

cafcfred4 · January 2014

If it's on, I fancy a win - thats if we decide to take it seriously.

3-1 addicks.

Holdkneebomb · January 2014

Hughes, Evina and Pritchard in for Wilson, Wiggins and Cousins from stubley's line-up played on a Tuesday in late January and a 2-1 win

happyvalley · January 2014

Comfortable home win 4-0 (again)

Nicholas · January 2014

0-0

DMC · January 2014

StubleyAddick said:
The first home fixture of 2014 will hopefully take place this Saturday as Charlton face Oxford United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. It will be the second time that these two teams have faced each other in a cup competition after the Addicks defeated Oxford 4-0 at the Valley in the Capital One Cup in August.

The game is subject to a pitch inspection however after a week of heavy rain in South-East London. The official statement reads: “The inspection will take place within the next 24 hours and any decision regarding the fixture will be announced as soon as possible.”

Im more worried about the pitch inspector drowning than anythng else!

thai malaysia addick · January 2014

If it goes ahead (and that's a big "if"), we'll get 2 or more, they'll get 2 or less.

MuttleyCAFC · January 2014

I think it is difficult for us as the manager needs to assess who needs a rest and who doesn't and the data available to him isn't available to us. I would like to see us take it seriously enough to get through this hurdle though.