As nice as it was to be mentioned in the same breath as Manchester City in some circles last week and as superb it is to see Chris Powell and Rhoys Wiggins shortlisted for the Manager and Player of the Month respectively you get the feeling that it’s not going to go to anybody’s heads (apart from some fans maybe). The defeat against Stevenage just three Saturdays ago seems to have made the Charlton team angry and Carlisle, Wycombe and Hartlepool have been on the receiving end of that anger culminating in an outstanding return of goals, cleans sheets and points. This team looks like it means business and a positive result against Preston on Saturday will further enhance our reputation as the team to beat in League One.
Preston themselves dropped down from the Championship last season and were one of a glut of teams ‘favourites’ to get promoted. Not long ago it look an assured prediction, yet in a table of the last eight league games the team from Deepdale sit in a lowly 20th place. Their away record over the past five games shows a ‘hit-and-miss’ record: winning two and losing three. Over these games, they averaged almost two goals a game whilst also conceding the same amount, so Saturday’s meeting should produce goals…
You would like to think that Chris Powell has a fairly easy decision to make with regards to his team selection and it should be - injuries dependant. Dale Stephens new arrival coincided with a niggling injury which has meant Andy Hughes has stepped up to the plate and performed well. His style may not be as easy on the eye as Dale’s and he certainly does not possess the attacking threat of the former Oldham man but his non-nonsense approach seems to be protecting the back floor whilst giving Danny Hollands an attacking roaming licence which is producing results.
You can’t see any changes for the rest of the team with Bradley Wright-Phillips, the bubble bath eater (listen to the Football Ramble podcast) hoping it’s third-time lucky to following up a brace of braces with an elusive hat-trick. The frontman is truly on fire and after saying that he’d “punch the gaffer in the face” if he took him off on two goals again it seems he wants it bad…
Preston will be a tough game despite their recent form, and having already beaten the Addicks at The Valley this season they will be semi-confident but I can’t see anything other than a 3-1 Charlton win.
Come on you reds!
Comments
The symmetry of football says that as we went top last time we played Preston we will lose top spot when we play them again.
But that is all superstitious nonsense. CAFC 1 (Hayes against his old club) Preston 1
tight game cos that gobby twat browns job is on the line , hope we stuff em cos him and his assistant were giving it a bit to fans behind them in the cup game from the dug out
1-1 or 2-1 victory
Where did you hear that? As far as I know he's not been injured.
Saying that this is a new team, playing with confidence, scoring goals and the defence is looking more solid than it has done for years.
Preston should be doing better than they are, I do think they will pick up, Hume and Mellor are good players.
Biggest choice is Hughes or Stephens. Hughes had a poor game vs them in centre midfield in the Carling Cup (as did everyone)
BWP gets another two and Green with a free kick blinder.
Same team as Hartlepool. If it ain't broke etc.
Where were we mentioned in the same breath as Man City?
"non-nonsense" - What has happened to the review team? Doesn't anybody proof read anymore? Have the drastic cuts really been that drastic over at CL Towers??
Injury dependant, it wouldn't be fair or justified changing the winning team from last weeks escapades. surely same starting 11 and the same outcome a CAFC win, 3-0.
True but didn't stop Powell changing the team before. As others have said Only Stephens and Waggy likely to come into the starting line up IMHO
Don't think this game is easy to call which is why I'm edging towards a draw.
We haven't been at our best at home and I have a feeling Brown will go 4-5-1 to stifle our midfield. His main aim will be not to lose.
Hope I'm wrong (usually am) and we stuff 'em.