AFC Ballmouth vs Charlton Athletic
3pm Kick-Off
Referee – James Linington
INTRODUCTIONEngland’s rather flat performances against San Marino and Estonia, could also be used as an example for Charlton’s recent showings- not pretty, but effective.
However, a point against Birmingham just before the international break could be a game that is looked back on at the end of the season as dropped points.
Despite that, the Addicks are still unbeaten in the league and will hope to continue this run on Saturday.
Bournemouth will be without a certain Yann Kermorgant, who is suspended following a red-card against Bolton. Having said that, they are more than capable of getting a good result without the inspirational Frenchman.
THE OPPOSITIONEddie Howe’s side have had a solid start to their season and currently see themselves in 11th place and only four points adrift from the play-off spots.
The Cherries defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Macron stadium, in their last match before the international break, thanks to a brace from summer signing Callum Wilson.
Wilson is not the only Bournemouth player that Charlton should be wary of.
In goal, Artur Boruc, on loan from Southampton, will be between the sticks and at right-back, Simon Francis should face his old side.
Another ex-Addick that may start is Harry Arter, and if so, he’ll occupy the middle of midfield.
ONE TO WATCH – CALLUM WILSONMy player to watch this week is 22-year-old striker: Callum Wilson.
The young English forward joined Bournemouth from Coventry in the summer, on a four-year-deal for an estimated fee of around £3 million.
Despite the hefty price tag, Wilson has excelled in the opening few months at the Goldsands Stadium and has already scored six league goals this season – joint with a certain Igor Vetokele…
Wilson’s pace and strength as well as his finishing ability will mean that Bikey and Ben Haim will have to be on top form to stop him.
LINE-UPWell the international break would have given Bob Peeters a lot to think about heading into this fixture.
A back-five of: Henderson in goal, Solly, Bikey, Ben Haim and Wiggins in defence, is likely to return following Ben Haim’s absence in the Birmingham fixture to observe Yom Kippur.
In midfield, Johann Gudmundsson may be fit to start again after a knee injury which ruled him out of action for Iceland last week.
If Gudmundsson does return, then Frederic Bulot may be dropped while Jordan Cousins could be drifted back out to the left to accommodate Buyens and Jackson in the middle.
However, if Peeters opts for a 4-5-1, then Bulot may take a wing-spot ahead of Lawrie Wilson, and Igor Vetokele will be up-front.
Alternatively, the Belgian boss could select a strike partner for Vetokele. If so, one of George Tucudean or Karlan Ahearne-Grant could start or Franck Moussa could be played just behind the main striker.
PREDICTIONIt’s a tough one to call. Bournemouth isn’t an easy place to go to, but, I can see us grabbing a point at the Goldsands Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Charlton Athletic.
Comments
Entertainment v results war breaks out on CL.
Henderson
Solly Ben Haim Bikey Fox
Bulot Jackson Cousins Gudmunssen
Moussa
Vetokele
The first really bitter exchanges of the season on Charlton Life - "Peeters is tactically inept, Buyens is crap,my afternoon was ruined by people standing up, Bulot's crap, Jackson's past it, we should never have let Semedo go" versus "stop moaning, we've only lost one game all season, give him time, stop picking on Jackson, stop picking on me, why are you bringing Chris Powell into this, move on".
Or
BP has already figured out that one up front doesn't work. He drops Buyens, who was very poor last time out, and brings in Moussa from the start. We power to a 3-0 victory, and there's an almost romantic ambience on Charlton Life throughout Saturday evening - "we're going up as champions, Jackson's the Lionel Messi of the Championship, thanks to everyone who stood throughout the game, it made a nice change being able to stretch my legs all afternoon.
In other news, Chris Powell comes out on top in the battle of Roland's Rejects, with Huddersfield beating Blackpool 8-0. Chris wears a flat cap and his trendiest suit whilst being interviewed on the Football League Show. It is at this point that I press "pause", switch off the lights and reach for the Kleenex.
I want to see Simon Francis replicate his CAFC defending. ( Solly's a much better defender)
I don't want to see Harry Arter run us ragged like last August.
I want to see the lad that was released from CAFC because he was not good enough. (maybe a mistake)
We had no legs in midfield last season at Dean court, Gower and Hughes, with Pritchard stuck out on wing.
The last two seasons we've had so many worldy scored against us, that i lost count.
This season the opposition has been more, couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo,
High scoring draw If they score first 3-3
Low scoring draw if we score first 1-1
We have more draws than M + S
Re the game, after seeing the dismissive odds we've been given above, let's do 'em. 2-0 us. Vetokele and Bulot
Bikey and Ben-Haim to struggle against a Pacey Strike Force (Kinda like Wolves again)
19th November 2001. 4-4 with West Ham.
Happy Birthday for Saturday.
For me - a back's to the wall, smash and grab 2-1 away win.
ArsenalCharltonIgor "Killer" to the rescue