A chilly evening at The Valley on Tuesday was momentarily warmed up by red hot Dale Stephens strike deep into injury time to claim a draw against Bury. Once the euphoria of the wonder strike had died down though, it left many fans (and undoubtedly the coaching team) disappointed in a game that many expected to win. Too many players were operating at a level far lower than we have come become accustomed to and Chris Powell’s changes to the starting line-up seemingly made the team lose some fluidity.
That being said, another home game against Rochdale (who defeated Bury 3-0 only a matter of days ago) gives the players the chance to prove that the gap that they have built up at the top of League One is one that can be maintained (or indeed grow). Saturday’s opponents are sitting in the relegation zone of the third tier of English football and before their derby win against Bury – they had not won in their nine previous outings. They are conceding almost 2 goals a game away from home and have the worst away attack in the division so there can only be one outcome right…
The return of Dale Stephens are the omission of top-scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips raised a few eyebrows on Tuesday night and although the former justified his inclusion with his equaliser, Bradley Pritchard can feel somewhat hard done by. Whether or not the former Oldham man can manage two games in five days following a significant time out injured remains to be seen, but the early season central midfield pairing is likely to stick. After an ineffective partnership of Kermongant and Clarke, fitness permitting, BWP is likely to come back into the starting XI to try and end a lengthy barren spell. If it’s deemed that he needs another game off, Danny Haynes showed glimpses against Bury that he is likely to be a better foil to Yann. Everyone else is likely to retain their positions although indifferent Danny Green performances could see Scott Wagstaff come in from the cold onto the bench to put some pressure on the winger.
A bounceback from a mini-blip is really needed to show the rest of the league we’re worthy of our superiority. We’ll thump them 4-1.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
Fans may wish to get to their seats a little earlier.
anything but a win and my bumhole will start going (more than usual)
If the game goes ahead 3-0 to the addicks.
Jacko x 2 and Morrison
Having seen we're the same price as we were Bury, which is a surprise, I've lumped on-hope I don't regret it...
Pitch is fully covered and the snow that is (maybe) forecast is for late Saturday in to Sunday.
Assts - Colin Lymer and John Magill
4th - Stephen Daly
2-0 the Addicks.
I beg to differ, since his appointment Coleman has brought in a couple of new players and changed the way the The Dale play, so now instead of being on a loosing run they have just thumped their local rivals and will arrive here on a high with a new set up.
I would like to see Waggy in for Green, BWP back with Big K but with Hayes and Haynes on the bench for the last 30 minutes to gig ether a tryout together. If Stephens is fit then keep him and Hollands in the midfield with Pritchard on the bench.
Do that and we might win 1-0
I hope we can win it.
2-0 to the Addicks.