"Matt Holland returns to the Charlton starting line-up for this afternoon's clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He will slot in to central defence in place of loanee Darren Ward who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Holland thus partners skipper Mark Hudson in the rearguard in Phil Parkinson's only change following the spirited midweek point at Reading.
Unbeaten in their last three away games, the Addicks will be looking to upset the leaders with a much-needed victory as they attempt to eat in to a 13-point deficit at the foot of the table.
With 27 points to play for in the closing weeks of the season maximums are at top of the Addicks agenda, starting at Molineux.
Sadly for the visitors, Ward, an impressive presence in the backline since arriving on loan from the West Midlands at the end of January, is unavailable.
The experienced Holland's role as back-up centre-back sees him start alongside Hudson for the first time.
Behind the duo, Rob Elliot is again between the posts for the visitors, with Danny Butterfield and Kelly Youga at full-back.
In a five-strong midfield unit Matt Spring, Therry Racon and Zheng Zhi form the central triangle with Tom Soares on the right and Nicky Bailey on the left.
Top-scorer Bailey netted his tenth goal of the season at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday and has struck thrice in his last four games.
Zheng will again operate just behind sole striker Tresor Kandol while keeper Darren Randolph is joined on the bench by Grant Basey, Darren Ambrose, Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Dickson.
There is a familiar face in the visitors line-up in the shape of Chris Iwelumo.
The big striker top-scored for the Addicks last season with ten goals, and he partners 23-goal hitman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front.
Sam Vokes, who netted twice from the bench in Wolves' 3-1 Valley win earlier this season, is looming in reserve for the hosts."
If Parkinson seriously believes that Holland is a capable centre half, even compared to the hopeless Youga, then we are asking for Iwelumo to have a field day.
[cite]Posted By: Screamer[/cite]If Parkinson seriously believes that Holland is a capable centre half, even compared to the hopeless Youga, then we are asking for Iwelumo to have a field day.
Ward is ineligible, so the choice was to either give Basey a run out at CB, use Holland or move one of Youga or Butterfield inside.
[cite]Posted By: Valley_floyd_red[/cite]I thought Holland performed well in the centre back position in the past. I'm not as worried as i would be in Fortune got a re-call.
Fortune's out for the rest of the season.
With Fortune and Semedo out injured, Holland's playing because the only other option is Youga.
But Holland's got a brain ..... he might be only 5'9", but he has composure, footballing intelligence, reads the game well, good positional sense, ability, determination, organizational skills and good communication.
Or you would rather play Youga at CB, perhaps .....?
[cite]Posted By: Screamer[/cite]Personally I would always pick a defender in that position rather than a midfielder but it's a game of opinions. Doesn't really matter anyway now.
Depends on the players you've got. You wouldn't play a full back like Moutaouakil at centre back over Holland.
Comments
Subs: Randolph, Basey, Shelvey, Ambrose, Dickson.
Wolves: Hennessey; Foley, Hill, Craddock, Berra; Kightly, Jones, Edwards, S Ward; Iwelumo, Ebanks-Blake.
Subs: Higgs, Henry, Reid, Keogh, Vokes.
Referee: G Laws[/quote]
Iwelumo is gonna be well up for this game
Quite an attacking bench - with Shelvey, Ambrose and Dickson - but then it has to be.
"Matt Holland returns to the Charlton starting line-up for this afternoon's clash at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He will slot in to central defence in place of loanee Darren Ward who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Holland thus partners skipper Mark Hudson in the rearguard in Phil Parkinson's only change following the spirited midweek point at Reading.
Unbeaten in their last three away games, the Addicks will be looking to upset the leaders with a much-needed victory as they attempt to eat in to a 13-point deficit at the foot of the table.
With 27 points to play for in the closing weeks of the season maximums are at top of the Addicks agenda, starting at Molineux.
Sadly for the visitors, Ward, an impressive presence in the backline since arriving on loan from the West Midlands at the end of January, is unavailable.
The experienced Holland's role as back-up centre-back sees him start alongside Hudson for the first time.
Behind the duo, Rob Elliot is again between the posts for the visitors, with Danny Butterfield and Kelly Youga at full-back.
In a five-strong midfield unit Matt Spring, Therry Racon and Zheng Zhi form the central triangle with Tom Soares on the right and Nicky Bailey on the left.
Top-scorer Bailey netted his tenth goal of the season at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday and has struck thrice in his last four games.
Zheng will again operate just behind sole striker Tresor Kandol while keeper Darren Randolph is joined on the bench by Grant Basey, Darren Ambrose, Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Dickson.
There is a familiar face in the visitors line-up in the shape of Chris Iwelumo.
The big striker top-scored for the Addicks last season with ten goals, and he partners 23-goal hitman Sylvan Ebanks-Blake up front.
Sam Vokes, who netted twice from the bench in Wolves' 3-1 Valley win earlier this season, is looming in reserve for the hosts."
Ward is ineligible, so the choice was to either give Basey a run out at CB, use Holland or move one of Youga or Butterfield inside.
Fortune's out for the rest of the season.
With Fortune and Semedo out injured, Holland's playing because the only other option is Youga.
Or you would rather play Youga at CB, perhaps .....?
;o)
Depends on the players you've got. You wouldn't play a full back like Moutaouakil at centre back over Holland.