Football at The Valley for the first time since Boxing Day, and Charlton will be looking to knockout Hartlepool and bolster their automatic challenge.
Saturday’s win over Wycombe was welcome if unconvincing in parts; the fact three points were attained whilst there was clearly some rustiness evident in the system can be viewed as nothing but positive.
But supporters will rightly or wrongly be expecting a strong show tonight, one that will bring some belief to fans who desperately want to believe, but are ultimately lacking the conviction in their current ‘hope’ dial.
Hartlepool’s chips are down following MK Donalds going large with a 5-0 away win at the weekend. The Pools will hope to welcome back defender and captain Sam Collins to shore up their leaky defence.
Charlton could see a restart for a fit again Frazer Richardson, who impressed in his late cameo on Saturday. Would you risk him from the start, or would you stick with the improving Omozusi ?
Would you retain the same shape as Saturday’s line up ? Who out of Shelvey and Bailey would you play centre and left ? Would you make any other changes ?
Big game tonight, that could easily slip under the radar if complacency sets in. Hartlepool will be looking to bounce back and restore their pride following their home humiliation, though early domination by the Addicks could see their fragile confidence crumble.
Same XI as saturday, no need to change anything and i'd give Richardson the last half hour to get his match fitness back up.
Everyone is going to turn up expecting us to thrash them, so i pray we score early as Hartlepool will put 10 men behind the ball and the crowd will become restless the longer it's 0-0.
I'd go with 3-1 to us. Burton, Shelvey and Mooney.
just get a win... yeah great to win 4 or 5 nil if that happens... just win.... althoghh it could go ot goal difference at the end of the season.. points is what matters first... let's concentrate on what we have to do and not worry about Norwich and Leeds.. thats all we can do as a team... if we win and leeds and or norwich slip up then thats a bonus.. no use worrying about the other 2 teams
long trip midweek to us,they won't really fancy it and with 30 away fans in the jimmy seed end, this will be a stroll 4-0 to us. lloyd sam hat trick tonight.
Another win but by no means a stroll in the park IMHO
Hartlepool will try to limit the damage after their 5 - 0 defeat which will frustrate us but in the end we will have enough.
Richardson, if fit enough, to come back in. Basey was injured on Saturday so could be Youga or Omozusi coming in. Otherwise would try the diamond with Bailey on the left, at least to start.
Only concern i have with the Diamond formation is that it allows the oppostions RB to get forward alot. If Wycombes was any good, he really could have hurt us first half saturday. Saying that, we need to let teams worry about us and i dont like changing a winning side.
3-1 Charlton win, Jonjo amongst the scorers again mooney & Burton
I would stick with same as saturday and bring Richardson on again as we dont want him to be rushed back, so Bailey starts of on the left and then if not getting involved as much or not influencing the play then bring him in the centre to do some damage
Following their tonking at the weekend I fear they will park the bus and look to frustrate
I'm also going for a 3-1 as I think they might score first against the run of play (you know = typical Charlton, dominate, create opening but fail to score then get sucker punched)
However - IF we can get a nice early goal then maybe a 4 or 5 nil could happen - maybe more. It's all about the early goal
Never count 'my chickens' where Charlton are concerned. Hartlepool will approach this like a cup-tie. Nothing to lose, impressive stadium, good pitch etc.
Not going to be easy unless we get a 'couple' of early goals. Hope we do as I'm getting a bit fed up with this edge of the seat stuff!
I never fancy us to win, especially when we're odds on favourites. But fingers crossed I'm proved wrong and Burton will have had the baiting from Bailey about him catching him up in the scoring stakes and will put one or two away. Charlton 2-0 Burton brace.
Banana skin written all over it.
Like your optimism. Large - hope it is well-placed.
Be useful to end a home game with 11 on the pitch for a change too...
PS I am currently superstitious about not voting in the polls at the top - our form has improved again since I stopped doing them. So a question for Admin - is it possible to have an option to "view results" even if you don't vote?
Hoping that we hear lots of renditions of the Nicky Bailey song tonight, we've got it off to a T away now its time to get on board in the east west and north stands!!!
Comments
Saturday’s win over Wycombe was welcome if unconvincing in parts; the fact three points were attained whilst there was clearly some rustiness evident in the system can be viewed as nothing but positive.
But supporters will rightly or wrongly be expecting a strong show tonight, one that will bring some belief to fans who desperately want to believe, but are ultimately lacking the conviction in their current ‘hope’ dial.
Hartlepool’s chips are down following MK Donalds going large with a 5-0 away win at the weekend. The Pools will hope to welcome back defender and captain Sam Collins to shore up their leaky defence.
Charlton could see a restart for a fit again Frazer Richardson, who impressed in his late cameo on Saturday. Would you risk him from the start, or would you stick with the improving Omozusi ?
Would you retain the same shape as Saturday’s line up ? Who out of Shelvey and Bailey would you play centre and left ? Would you make any other changes ?
Big game tonight, that could easily slip under the radar if complacency sets in. Hartlepool will be looking to bounce back and restore their pride following their home humiliation, though early domination by the Addicks could see their fragile confidence crumble.
How do YOU see it going ?
Everyone is going to turn up expecting us to thrash them, so i pray we score early as Hartlepool will put 10 men behind the ball and the crowd will become restless the longer it's 0-0.
I'd go with 3-1 to us. Burton, Shelvey and Mooney.
Hartlepool will try to limit the damage after their 5 - 0 defeat which will frustrate us but in the end we will have enough.
Richardson, if fit enough, to come back in. Basey was injured on Saturday so could be Youga or Omozusi coming in. Otherwise would try the diamond with Bailey on the left, at least to start.
Mooney to get the winner. 1 - 0
Burton & Shelvey. 2 - 0
I would stick with same as saturday and bring Richardson on again as we dont want him to be rushed back, so Bailey starts of on the left and then if not getting involved as much or not influencing the play then bring him in the centre to do some damage
I'm also going for a 3-1 as I think they might score first against the run of play (you know = typical Charlton, dominate, create opening but fail to score then get sucker punched)
However - IF we can get a nice early goal then maybe a 4 or 5 nil could happen - maybe more. It's all about the early goal
I don't think you are being aggressive enough Large, my money is on 9-1, seven of which would have been scored in the first half.
Odds 500-1 with Paddypower
MK beat them 5 nil and we beat them 5-2, so I reckon it will be 10-0
Not going to be easy unless we get a 'couple' of early goals. Hope we do as I'm getting a bit fed up with this edge of the seat stuff!
3-0 to us.
Wrong Thread......
Like your optimism. Large - hope it is well-placed.
Be useful to end a home game with 11 on the pitch for a change too...
PS I am currently superstitious about not voting in the polls at the top - our form has improved again since I stopped doing them. So a question for Admin - is it possible to have an option to "view results" even if you don't vote?
I shall be delighted if I am proved wrong.
Copied and pasted from the sunk thread.
Time to put the wind up the top two.