Home Sweet Home. We hope.
Having spent the last four games on the road which have in total garnered a single league point; being knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league team for the first time in our history; being knocked out of the JPT by Alan P*rdew and busting the back of the net a staggering 3 times, you would hope the players can rediscover some of their early season form on Saturday – because we need it.
MK Dons visit The Valley level on points with us after a decent run of results, even though on their last trip on the road they were defeated 3-1 by our friends from St Marys so it may not be the easy defeat for Charlton many will be predicting…
Despite our recent poor run of form where we are struggling to create chances, let alone score them, people may be expecting a locked on loss for this game. But let me speak about facts: We are still undefeated in the league at home this season (and in fact haven’t lost at home since the defeat against Watford back on the 7th March) and we are still second in the league.
Yes we all know that the past 9 games have been seen as awful but does anyone really think that a bad feeling and atmosphere swirling around SE7 on Saturday is going to help our cause? If we don’t score within 10 minutes then let’s keep behind the boys and push them onto victory, because by god do we need it at the moment.
Onto the team.
Personally I thought Llera looked ok against Southampton and maybe we have been missing his distribution from the back in recent weeks although I fully suspect Sodje to come back into the fray. I also should think we will see Bailey and Racon come back into the fold at the expense of Spring and (come on let’s get it right this week…) Sam. With Wagstaff retaining his place.
An out-of-sorts Jonjo (whether because of tactics or anything else) I think will be once again relegated to the bench and we will see, and I’d hope to see, a new-look strike force of Leon and Deon.
Screw the cups – let’s get promoted out of this league and get the wheels back in motion with a nervy but reassuring 2-1 victory.
Let’s get behind the team this weekend everyone – views here.
Comments
It's going to be a crucial game though. Everyone needs to step up a gear or two, including the Valley faithful.
COYR!
2-0 Charlton!
The way this league is set to pan out with Leeds looking strong and pulling away while everyone else takes points of each other is that wins at home and few draws and the odd win away will be enough to guarantee a play-off spot at least.
Minto noted Llera's distribution last night and it may be that WSS has a point on that.
However, Sodje and Dailly are both a lot more solid defensively and a defenders job is to defend first and foremost.
Could Sodje play right-back at all?
it'll be interesting to see who starts in goal for us ....
that puncheon is bound to ruin us
team:
Randolf
Richardson (Smedo) Daily Sodji Youga
Wagstaff Jon Jo Bailey Racon
Mooney Macenzie(Burton)
not at all confident but hope deon and leon get to start.
Would be tempted to put Bailey in the middle with Semedo with Racon wider and either Wagstaff or Sam on the left.
(But still dislike the spanners more.........)
Randolph
Richardson
Dailly
Sodje
Youga
Sam
Semedo
Racon
Bailey
Burton
McKenzie
As you can see there, despite the need of a shake-up, i simply don't think we have the necessary players to do so.
We are relient on the bulk of a team finding their feet again.
Richardson Youga
Dailly Sodle
Semedo
Bailey Racon
Sam Burton McKenzie
IMO best team to face MK Roundabouts.
Need to get on a roll before we face the Scum otherwise we're going to get slaughtered.
We seem to have got very Spurs / West Ham like at times admittedly not without cause sometimes.
However as Oggy says a positive atmosphere breeds positive results or at least gives more chance of positive results.
Wikipedia
Richardson (if fit)
Dailly
Sodje
Youga
Bailey Right
Semedo
Shelvey
Racon Left
Leon
Deon
The wingers have not been contributing enough of late so in the mould of graham Stuart tuck Bailey and Racon just inside
Semedo to sit and shelvey the centre midfield birth to roam. This would be shelveys big chance for the next few games as i believe he feels more at home in the centre picking the ball and using his undoubted distrubution skills to open them up.
So this is the team I would like to see against the Dons on Saturday but not very hopeful it will happen:
4-4-2 Diamond Midfield
Randolph
Omo Dailly Sodje Youga
Bailey
Sam Racon
Jonjo
Burton McKenzie
Subs:
Ikeme
Llera
Basey
Semedo
Holden
Mooney
Tuna
Love the keepers name as well.
Expect Ikeme in goal although we'd largely prefer to Randolph. If Richardson is back then the defence more or less picks itself, even though, as WSS says, we may have missed Llera's distribution. Up front McKenzie plus one of Shelvey/Burton/Mooney - most of us would prefer to see a conventional 442 and since Deon is injured maybe Mooney will get the nod?
Midfield is where we have the most options (still not many) - Racon and Bailey were rested and can be expected to play Saturday. Despite reports last night (I didn't watch) I'd consider perserving with Spring, I think he is a tidy player who is useful breaking forward, and it is hard to make an impact without a run in the team, but I am probably in a minority of one on this!! Anyway ....
.... who'd you select:
- (a) to partner McKenzie up front?
- (b) to play in midfield with Racon and Bailey ?
Personally:
- (a) Burton (makes sense if he's not having surgery yet) - Mooney should get at least half an hour.
- (b) Spring and Semedo, both central
surely the problem with the midfield is that we have three players - Bailey, Semdeo and Racon whose best position is in the centre
I think Bailey has to be given a run in the centre as by all accounts Semedo and Racon have not done the business in the last few weeks
Unfortunately got to miss this one as going away for the weekend, but hope you all get behind the boys and no Boo'ing remember we are 2nd still :-)
my team would be: Randolph, Richardson, Daily-Sodje, Youga, Sam, Semedo-Racon, Bailey, Mooney, Mckenzie
As much as i would not like to drop shelvey as i think he is potential match winner, just cant find where to accomadate him for this game. would of liked to drop racon but then no-one on the left as i cant see them putting basey or youga there tbh although think that could work well
Main thing is we win, i dont care who plays and how much by just a win plz
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Randolf
Richardson Sodje Dailley Youga
Racon Bailey Semedo Holden (an unknown revelation to the opposition)
Mooney Macenzie (Burton is so not fit - operate now!)
on the bench
Ikeme
Shevey (impact sub @ 70 minutes)
Llera
Basey
Wagstaff (does Sam need a rest / kick ujp the backside!)
Would start McKenzie with either Burton or Mooney
Couldn't agree more.
This could easily be the defining match of the season. Certainly not a time for negativity.
Same for me, except id play Mooney instead of Burton. Think mooney could cause problems if he has someone up their with him and a pair of boots with longer studs.
Randolph
Dailly
Sodje
Llera
Youga
Sam (right)
Semedo
Bailey
Basey (left)
Burton
McKenzie
I'm assuming Richardson is still unfit. Dailly can play down the right. He's meant to be the fittest squad member.
This gives us the most experienced defence possible.
In midfield I think we need width and two players who are capable of defensive duties. Basey can compliment Semedo in protecting the defense and this should make us defensively secure down the left hand side. Sam and Bailey (given a run in the centre) can concentrate on providing attacking options to the two (yes two) strikers.
I'd also have holden on the bench. He showed promise and could come on for Basey if we are a goal or two down. If Shelvey played it would be as a replacement for Bailey.
Yeah, works for me as well ... with Mooney coming on early 2nd half to give Deon some relief ... it doesn't look he will get his op soon so he needs to be treated carefully
was called up and havn't read that he has been released/withdrawn etc.