This week in London has seen Spring slowly starting to peek its beady eyes through the Winter months and as such the atmosphere in Preview’s office has been somewhat heightened by the fact that we are leaving and arriving in daylight. People are upbeat, energy is high and there has been a noticeable increase in productivity. Unfortunately the seasonal changes seemed to have had little affect down at Sparrows Lane and The Valley.
Another defeat against MK Dons (the fifth in six games) sees Charlton move further back in the queue to buy a play off lottery ticket with few signs that Chris Powell and his team of Merry Men can turn it around in the final thirteen games of the season, In the past eight games, Charlton are in the relegation zone in terms of points with only Yeovil, Bristol Rovers and Swindon below us – Saturdays opponents Brentford sit in 13th place in the same table. Usually we’d take heart from the fact that in the last five games Brentford are the second worst team in the league on their travels (not winning and conceding 12 goals in the process) but we know this means squiddly squat in our current run of form.
Injuries, suspensions, lack of loans and general poor performances have not helped Chris Powell choose or settle on a team (or a formation) and unless Nostradamus turns up in the next few minutes I don’t think we’ll know the eleven who take to the pitch on Saturday.
Ross Worner is likely to deputise in goal and although Solly played 90 minutes this week I’d expect the much maligned Francis to retain the right back berth. Fellow full back Bessone also completed a full quota of match minutes against Palace and I think perversely stands more chance of replacing the impressive Carl Jenkinson than Solly does for Simon…
You’d like to think we will revert back to a more conventional 4-4-2 formation and this is likely to mean Wagstaff, Racon, Semedo and possibly Jackson if his injection has worked (if not, McOxo is likely to step back into the fold).
Nathan Eccleston feels he should get a chance up top and with Paul Benson suspended, Anyinsah injured and other strikers let go he is likely to get his chance. The last time him and top goalscorer BWP started together it didn’t work, maybe it will this time?
The atmosphere in and around The Valley is starting to turn just 10 games into the tenure of Chris Powell and a lack of a victory come Saturday is unthinkable. I think it will be 2-2…
Come on you reds.
0
Comments
CAFC - always there when it counts (a few weeks late)
Poor runs always come to an end and ours is due to do so on Saturday.
2-1 to us.
and yes if you can't beat em join em seems to be our footballing philosophy and we are now a fully licensed pub side
still i hope the new grounds and excitement aren't wearing thin for our twunts who thought/hoped relegation from the prem may be a good thing
I think we'll win 2-0
Expect to see both Solly and Bessone make appearances but from the bench along with Stavrinou or perhaps even Harriot if the game is already won.
Dull fair but a functional win against a team managed by a former Addick
Worner in goal,
Back 4: Bessone, Dailly, Llera, Jenkinson,
Mid: Jackson, Semedo, Racon, Wagstaff,
Up front: SWP and Hayes (if he joins) or Eccleston if not.
Ha, that's what i thought !
I shall be an absent friend on Saturday as i have a rescheduled golf day for a friends birthday. Cursed when it was announced as a falling on a home game, now viewed as a thankful stroke of genius I shall be tucking into the 'Winter Warmer' homemade stew and dumplings around the time the first boos ring out !
In terms of the game, expect a much improved, confidence boosting and deserved victory, which will lead to the clinically insane amongst our ranks to start looking at the table and fixtures again and stupidly working out 'if we beat so and so, and then win at so and so...'. Charlton Life will be basking in a sea of tranquility, the sun will shine, i'll shoot something under 100, and WSS will permenantly adopt referring to himself as 'The Preview'
Come on you reds, allez le nord bruyant !
Brentford are a bit of a bogey team for us, Alexander will cause us problems.
Hopefully Francis has done enough now to not be in the starting 11, he's been trying his hardest all season but we finally have Solly back and Jenkinson deserves a start at right back, especially if Bessone is fit.
If we concede an early goal things could get ugly.
Worner
Solly Dailly Llera Jenkinson
McOxo Racon Semedo Reid
Waggy
BWP
2-1 defeat, at least 1500 Brentford fans standing and singing for 90 minutes, the covered end trying to find someone to boo, Powell standing on the touchline looking mean and moody, a Francis error for a goal and everyone blaming the same players that were 3rd at the end of the year :) minus the leagues top goalscorer.
Also fancy us to miss a penalty
Doom Doom Doom...
An outrageous post, Powell will not be mean and moody on the touchline, he'll be mean and moody in the stands, serving his ban.
Another 3-1 home defeat.
EDIT: forgot to say please prove me wrong!!!!!! Shows how little confidence i have in us at the moment.
Don't know about that, Len.If we go with cafc-west's back four of Bessone, Dailly, Llera, Jenkinson, I'd argue that could well be the best defence we've fielded all season. Certainly a lot more reassuring than one which reads Fry, Fortune, Doherty, Francis.
Mc Oxo gives away posession in the centre circle, falling over with his arm raised vainly at the ref. They break and make it 1-1 on 33 mins . You just want to kick sand in that useless little twerp's face and I am sure the Brentford boys will not hold back.
After a solid first half display, El Donko stumbles on the ball in our D on 43mins to make it 2-1 to them.
Nathan Ecclestone introduced after 83 minutes and dribbles past 5 defenders to blaze inches over the bar. From the quickly taken goal-kick Dailley is left dead for pace and they side foot home for 3-1.
Fans boo. BWP sulks and calls his agent. Dailly takes himself for an extra 27 mile training run around Blackheath. Slater checks his current account an calls his travel agent. Mc Oxo enjoys a six course banquet at the Ivy and sends some tweets. Parky accepts a decent job offer in the Championship. Curbs shakes his head sadly and waits for his mobile to ring. SCP falls on his sword in the interests of the club's future.
Splendid stuff, Grumpy. I don't know how accurate your scenario will prove to be - but I have a horrible feeling you have probably just given us better entertainment than we can expect from the game!
0-1
Normal service resumes at Dagenham.
another scoredraw it is then...
I'd like to see Solly brought into the midfield, replacing McOxo, with Jenks switching to RB and Bessone in at LB -- adds fight and footballing ability to MF and gives us a balanced back 4 with everyone playing in position. Waggy rather than Reid, if only because he and Solly look as if they enjoy playing together, and pace up front with BWP and Ecc. I reckon we'd have a fighting chance?