Well it’s been a fairly quiet week hasn’t it? I mean we haven’t lost any players? Lost any games? Lost any minds? Oh if only.
Since posting the last preview, three first-team players have departed the Addicks in the shape of Dale Stephens, Ben Alnwick and Yann Kermorgant. The Addicks replaced the trio with three signings of their own.
Strikers Reza Ghoochannejhad and Piotr ‘Polish Pete’ Parzyszek were brought in from Standard Liege and De Graafschap respectively and the duo could start this weekend. Loic Nego was the other arrival to complete a busy January transfer window for the Addicks.
Charlton welcome Birmingham to the Valley this weekend (weather permitting!) and if the game does go ahead it’ll be the first league game of 2014 to be played at SE7.
The OppositionBirmingham were busy on ‘Deadline Day’ as they captured four players who all went on to play some part of their match against Derby County the following day which finished 3-3. One of those ‘Deadline Day’ signings Federico Macheda who is on loan from Manchester United, scored the equaliser to give Lee Clark’s side a valuable point.
Despite Birmingham’s point, they are still only six points away from the Addicks who are in the relegation zone. In fact, Birmingham haven’t won a league game so far in 2014 in five attempts, so that stat may give Chris Powell’s men some confidence of a victory this weekend.
However, Birmingham’s 18th position in the League table doesn’t reflect some of the quality within their squad. The likes of Chris Burke, Federico Macheda and ex-Addick Darren Randolph are all decent players and could frustrate Charlton this Saturday.
Player to WatchThe player to watch this weekend is Birmingham winger Chris Burke. Despite my last few choices not actually featuring in the game due to injuries, I’m pretty confident that the Scottish international should feature this weekend. The ex-Rangers midfielder is a great crosser of the ball and can often chip in with a few goals as shown in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgibK5RKZwQThe Line –Up After a great 87 minutes against Wigan last weekend, Chris Powell may decide to line up a similar side this weekend against Birmingham.
One change that may occur is if Ben Hamer is fit enough to return in goal for the Addicks after Yohann Thuram-Ulien’s disappointing performance last weekend.
Rhoys Wiggins may not be fit to start due to an injury picked up in the 2-1 defeat to Wigan last Saturday. Despite it appearing that Cedric Evina was heading out on loan, he may be recalled to the starting eleven although youth-products Harry Lennon and Morgan Fox will also be pushing for the LB spot.
Chris Solly may be fit enough this weekend following his recent knee injury troubles but if he isn’t available, then Lawrie Wilson could take up the right-back spot or even on the right side of midfield after serving his one-match suspension for the red card against Doncaster. The other option is for Loic Nego to continue at RB despite a shaky debut last weekend.
The hardest decision for Chris Powell this weekend is who to play in midfield. The combination of Cousins, Poyet, Jackson and Ajdarevic may continue while Danny Green, Anil Koc and Callum Harriott will be contesting for starting spots also.
Marvin Sordell should continue upfront following his strike last weekend. Ghoochannejhad, ‘Polish Pete’ and Simon Church will be challenging each other for the other spot upfront.
The PredictionA morale-boosting 2-0 victory for the Addicks.
Comments
Can see Parzyszek starting, hopefully with Reza.
2-1 to us Goooooooch is on fire
Thuram-Ulien
Nego, Morrison, Wood, Lennon
Cousins, Poyet, Jackson
Church Parzyszek Reza
Subs: Phillips (gk), Dervite, Green, Sordell, Wilson, Koc, Ajdarević
Otherwise I'd go for the same side as on the OP. Peter on the bench ready to come on for Marvin if it ain't working.
The majority of the decent teams around at present play this formation and it is one that I really like.
For this weeks game I would replace Jackson with AA and play the new Polish fella up front instead of Sordell. Scored last week but I just don't think his heart is in it when it comes to playing for this club. Need to look to the future and play the permanent players as a priority over the loanees where possible.
Going to take 3-4 games for all the new players to settle and I can see CP going with a standard 4-4-2 which isn't going to do us any favours so going to say another defeat. 1-2.
JAMES ADCOCK
Jake Hillier and David Rock
Fourth Official Gavin Muge
Unless we get a fit loanee in on Friday!
Not sure about the Hamer, Evina, or Sordell, and a very young midfield...... so Poyet on the bench for me. Jackson, up front for 90 minutes, nah...... so he will be off at half time......Why not play 2 up front at home..... One if not two of the new strikers in........ Not sure Birmingham's defence is that great.
Thuram-Ulien
Nego. Morrison. Wood. Lennon
Cousins. Poyet
Koc. Ajdarevic
Parzyszek Reza
Subs: Phillips (gk), Dervite, Green, Sordell, Wilson, Jackson, Fox/Evina
The transformation into Standard Athletic begins with a 3-1 win...
Thuram
Nego
Morrison
Wood
Lennon
Poyet
Cousins
Adjardevic
Jackson
Sordell
Reza
Subs. Philips parzyszek church dervite fox green Wilson
Nego
Morrison
Wood
Evina
Poyet
Cousins
Wilson
Jackson
Sordell
Reza
Pistol Pete on the bench.
I'm feeling optimistic about this one.....which pretty much guarantees an away win
So.... ideally,
Thuram
Solly/Morro/Wood/Nego
Wilson/Cousins/Jacko
Reza
Church/PP
Subs to include Poyet.
Should be less hoofball, with Reza being the link man - think he could do a really good job there.
Thuram and Nego the highest rated players in the likely lineup!