An unbeaten home run stretching back to a Huddersfield defeat back in April 2011 came to a sublimely ridiculous end on Tuesday night against Colchester. Although the Addicks had plenty of corners, possessions, huff and puff – the league leaders could simply not blow the resolute Colchester house down after the U’s took the lead early on. Most Charlton fans are pragmatic about the defeat. Going through a whole season without tasting a reverse at The Valley would have been unbelievable, but the fact remains that Charlton are top of the league, we are 13 points clear on merit and there are only 11 games of this season to go to confirm a likely promotion and/or championship.
And this team bounces back from defeats. Post-Stevenage away, Charlton went on a run of six consecutive league wins scoring 18 goals in the process; then after the New Years’ Eve defeat at Leyton Orient, we won five of the next six league games only conceding two goals (and beating the two Sheffield teams in the process). But against Saturday’s opponents we should be cautious, the rejuvenated Notts County are the form team in League One over the past six games and their new manager has instilled a belief that could make them that all important team on the rise going into the end of season play-offs. But we should be confident – we’re top of the league.
As Preview Towers looks down at the scurrying little Lifers below they have been murmurings of shaking the team up, dividing opinions on blond haired wingers, and shuffling around an attack in an attempt to garner more goals. There is no doubt that with the number of games played over the past few weeks that the infamous ‘leginess’ may be a factor, but as Chris Powell said on Tuesday, “we only blame fatigue when we lose, so that’s not an excuse I’ll be using”. The Charlton rearguard is as easy to predict as a Chirpy Red riposte to Henry Irving, but a shake-up may be seen in midfield. With a Lampard/Gerrard England situation seemingly coming to the fore at Charlton in the shape of Stephens and Hollands – Chris Powell may see it fit to reintroduce Daryl Russell citing the number of games Dale Stephens has played recently. With Johnnie Jackson the only player providing balance to the left hand side and with no real alternative, the Charlton manager is likely to nurse the Captain throughout the rest of the season as best he can.
Danny Haynes has looked lively in the cameos that he has appeared recently although dislodging enigmatic top-scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips looks unlikely. A scenario could be seen though where Danny Green is rested with Haynes pushed out on the right to give a flexible, but more natural 4-3-3 formation when needed.
Writing off Tuesday night as ‘one-of-those-nights’ is needed and I’m sure the players will want to show the crowd on Saturday that it will be a canter rather than a stutter to promotion (and the title). Expect a reaction. 3-1.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
Notts County are the sort of team we'd drop points to in seasons gone by, wouldn't change too much to the team apart from maybe reintroduce Pritchard or Russell. I thought we played well Tuesday but it just didn't fall for us. We still need to win 5 more games to go up and knowing Charlton we'll make it as difficult as possible for ourselves.
We'll either win 2-0 or lose 1-0 to a early Sam Sodje header and they sit back and defend for 90 minutes.
The slightly worrying thing is that we have now gone behind in three of our last five games at the Valley. We need to come out of the blocks more strongly and put the opposition on the back foot from the outset - ideally the ball in the back of County's net by 3.10 pm, so they are then chasing the game just to get a point.
In the preview thread for the Colchester game, some were predicting Powell would ring the changes due to the fixture congestion. He didn't. But he might this time. There won't be wholesale changes after a single defeat. But those which WSS suggests sound sensible and feasible.
We will comeback strongly and Charlton to win by two clear goals, either 3-1 or 2-0.
At the top end of the table and in such good form they want to win games rather than play for a draw. A more open game suits us but as ever the first goal will be key.
The Son of Curbs seems settled on what he feels is his best XI and best XVI but Waggy in for Clarke on the bench gives us different options late on IMHO. I don't think it will happen though.
3 - 2 to the Addicks. Hamer throws one in his own net and gets beaten from long range but Morrison, Jackson (pen) and Kermorgant do enough to win it for us in front of 16,945
It's at least 16,948 because I know one person who so enjoyed 'football for a fiver' v Stevenage that they're coming back on Sat.
One minor factual error though - we beat the Wendies away from home but the Sheff Utd win was at the Valley, after our defeat to Leyton Orient.
The current starting XI looks tired and needs some fresh legs IMO-particularly in centre-mid where we lack bite and are losing the battle.
Hopefully Russel or Hughes will get a chance alongside Hollands or Stephens with Haynes given a good chance too.
1-0 defeat. The others all win and the lead is not what we thought it was.
PLEASE prove me wrong you addicks!
One bit of good news is that Lee Hughes is suspended
County are not yet in the position where they can come here and 'park the bus' (as some have of late)....they need every point.
Let's just hope they don't score first as they might be tempted to shut up shop should that happen.
As for the result - we know this team has bouncbackability so 3-0 with BWP, Kermogant and JJ with the goals.
I know how you feel. I cringe when so many start counting chickens before the eggs have even been laid!
Still we have (in real terms) a 12 point cushion from third so it's still in our own hands. I just hope we respond as positively as we did to the two previous defeats this season and that the crowd is supportive rather than negative and oppresive.
I'd take a draw now as it keeps the table ticking over but obviously hope and pray for a win.
BWP early lead, late equaliser for Notts County after Hamer gets caught larking around with Floyd and Harvey on the touchline and not getting back in time.
Green to balloon one over the bar in the last minute when an easy pass to BWP is on
R Pope L
Wiggins Kermorgant Cort Haynes
BWP Morrison Hollands Taylor Clarke
Solly
2-0