Having seen off Halifax in the first round of the FA Cup with relative ease for a Charlton team, Carlisle make the long trip down south in the hope of nabbing a lucrative third round draw. Back in October, a haul of goals for Charlton saw their Cumbrian opponents return home well and truly beaten and it kick-started the fantastic league run that the Addicks are currently experiencing.
The team played in the games since the Stevenage game has remained pretty much the same throughout, although the recent additions to the squad in the form of Ephraim and Russel have helped the squad cope with the injuries to Captain Jackson and Dale Stephens. Saturday provides an opportunity to a few fringe players to stake their claim for a starting berth further down the line should the necessity arise.
That being said, Powell played a relatively strong team in the last round and wholesale changes are not expected. The likes of Sullivan, Evina, Wagstaff and Paul Hayes look the most likely to start in place of the obvious first teamers and with Cort being given permission to play by Burnley, he could come in to replace Michael Morrison. The increased bench size gives the opportunity for the next generation of Addicks to sample the match day experience at The Valley, with Michael Smith, and possibly Callum Harriot forcing their way into the manager’s thinking.
Regardless of team, we should be too strong for Carlisle - the attitude and work ethic demanded by the management team is obvious. The crowd and atmosphere at The Valley will be nothing like Monday night, but this is a great chance to keep that winning feeling running through the veins of everybody at the club and those that go will be expecting a good performance.
The tie at The Valley on Saturday is the first time the two teams have met in the FA Cup, yet the Addicks have the upper hand in knockout tournaments having won all four games that have previously been played (all in the League Cup). We’ll keep that winning record, and eagerly watch the velvet bag rummaging on Sunday as we win 3-1.
Come on you reds!
Comments
I wouldn't be playing too many "reserves", would hate Carlisle to sneak a draw and saddle us with a replay.
I agree on the third round: big club away from home, honourable defeat, take the money and run!
Hayes and Waggy deserve a start.
Still buzzing over Monday night!
Solly Doherty Cort Evina
Waggy Hughes Russel Ephraim
Hayes Euell
No need to risk Hollands/BWP or get more bookings for Morro or Green imo.
Sullivan, Evina, Cort, Wagstaff, Pritchard, Hayes and maybe even Benson to all get a run out.
We draw Spurs again from the old velvet ball bag.
We are currently at 4,500 match tickets, but I would guess 8,000.
powell did mention yesterday that pritchard had a real good chance of starting cm, so i would take a guess at him definetly starting
7
A hattrick of home cup defeats to teams in our division this season would not surprise me at all.
Charlton 1-2 Carlisle.
I agree that Carlisle will be well up for this - their season will be pretty flat if they go out so it could be a struggle without a strong side.
I think Evina, Cort, Hayes and Waggy will start and expect Pritchard and Smith to play some part in it. Without wanting to open up old wounds i hope we don't start with Euell up front with Hayes as they just aren't compatible as a front two and it does neither any favours.
Usually I don't give a toss about cup competetions when the league is so important but I'd really like to get in the hat for the 3rd round this year and have a real go at a top team to guage just how good this side are. Wouldn't mind another trip away to a Prem side, the White Hart LAne game last year was cracking.
I'm happy to do my bit to encourage people to but their tickets, Airman....
" Where are you ????"
" Let's be 'avin you ! "
Hope that helps.