The crew at Preview Towers are not built to write two previews in two days, so we’re treating you to a bumper Easter edition of Match Previews combining both Saturday’s Oldham game and Monday’s visit of Walsall. We are entering an eggsciting period of the season where eggscellent focus, determination and ultimately, results, are needed. Although we lazy folk at PT don’t have the stamina to go twice in a week, let only twice in 48 hours, Charlton could possibly (but improbably) achieve their ‘One Aim’ over the next two games. Let’s do this shizzle.
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Oldham vs. Charlton | 7th April 2012 | Boundary Park
To stand any chance of securing promotion on Monday, the Addicks will have to travel north and pick up three points against an Oldham team in what pundits describe as a ‘rut’. Oldham’s recent form has been very much all or nothing. Their last 10 games have only garnered three wins (only one at home) and every other result has been a defeat, although other than their most recent reverse against Brentford, the margin has never been by more than a single goal. Past results in this fixture though suggest a draw. Four out of five games over the past three seasons between the Latics and Addicks have ended in a stalemate, although Chris Powell can take heart that the one decisive result came in 2010 when a 2-0 win for Charlton saw them promoted (for about 5 seconds).
Squad management and the fitness of the players is going to be important over the Easter weekend, so some shuffling is undoubtedly going to occur whether it is due to injury or general burnout of players. A professional, no-nonsense performance against East London rivals Leyton Orient saw a number of players stake their claims for the rest of the run-in. Returning loanee Lee Cook looked assured and capable on the left wing, whilst across the other side of the pitch Scott Wagstaff held onto his ‘knack’ of being in the right place at the right time – both are likely to start in the Manchester suburbs. Dale Stephens still looks slightly off the pace, but a return to one of his previous clubs may be the spur he needs to rediscover his pre-injury form, although Bradley Pritchard may be preferred away from home by Chris Powell. Expect all others at the back and up top to retain their places.
Most people would accept a draw away from home, but the combination of Oldham’s poor form and our new found solidity at the back, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be picking up maximum points – it’ll be close though.
0-1. Charlton vs. Walsall | 9th April 2012 | The Valley
The result of Sheffield Wednesday’s game against Huddersfield two days earlier will affect whether or not the faint sniff of promotion to the Championship is swirling around the Valley on Monday and whether or not fans are constantly checking other results on their phone. The long-shot of potential promotion should not distract us though, we need to beat Walsall and they are fighting for their lives. Currently on the precipice of relegation in 20th place, the Saddlers have only lost one of their last 10 fixtures but six draws in that run leaves them nervously looking over their shoulders. A win and a draw against the duo of Sheffield clubs shows they should not be taken lightly, and hopefully we’ll have enough in the tank to move past the 90 point mark come the end of Easter.
The make-up of the team come Monday is going to be hard to predict, but a shift around of loanees could see Dany N’Guessan enter the fold, Danny Green pushing for a recall and the outside chance of captain Johnnie Jackson making a welcome return. A comfortable win (fingers crossed) at Oldham could see Bradley Wright-Phillips’ knee rested via the means of an early substation, whilst you get the impression Yann would only stop running and jumping if his legs were cut off. The unlucky Paul Hayes is always on standby should we need a striking alternative over the two games.
Walsall will be hoping for a win against beleaguered Chesterfield prior to the game against us and hopefully we can capitalise on possible tiredness with our (on paper) superior ability and fitness. We won’t get promoted, but we’ll be within touching distance.
2-0.
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Happy Easter to one and all, and remember to check your travel arrangements for Monday’s game if you’re travelling by train.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
but struggle at home to Walsall...1-1
Walsall 2-1
Walsall 3-0
Walsall 1-1
Only a gut feel, but shows we are not home and dry yet as most of this site thinks.
3-0 against Walsall to leave us right on the cusp of promotion but not quite there. We owe them a thumping after last season's shock defeat and by then we'll know how Wednesday have got on so there might be pressure thus ensuring a professional performance
Charlton 2 Walsall 2
Charlton 2 - Wallsall 1
Charlton 7-2 Wallsall
Charlton 2 Walsall 0
Charlton 5 Walsall 0
come on the 'addocks!
No scoreline predictions though.
Charlton 2 Warsaw 0 (BWP & Morrison)
Charlton 1 - Wallsall 1.
1 point lead after Tuesday and 3 over 3rd and I'm looking on the web to see how many cocodamol would finsh the job and take the pain away.