Introduction & History
Charlton, the League One Champions travel up to the Midlands for their first game in the second tier of English football for three years. Our first game is against Birmingham who were defeated by Blackpool in the league’s play-off semi-finals last season. A failure to submit accounts towards the back end of last season saw The Blues placed under a transfer embargo which threatened to curtail their progress along with the end of season departure of Chris Hughton to Norwich. Since then though the embargo has been lifted and former Huddersfield boss, Lee Clarke has taken over at the helm.
The Addicks have a good record against their upcoming opponents winning 20 games compared to 17 for Birmingham. Over the past eight games (home and away), Charlton have only lost once – a 3-2 defeat in November 20088 in which we were unable to overcome a 10-man Brum side (Quashie sent off) despite goals from Gray and Bouazza. Before then, the last defeat was at The Valley in 2003 when Robbie Savage and an excellent Christophe Dugarry scored the goals in a 2-0 reverse.
The Opposition
Birmingham have been astute in their summer signings picking up established players on free transfers picking up Hayden Mullins, Peter Lovenkrands and old friend Darren Ambrose to add to a much unchanged squad from last season. The only significant exit from St Andrews has been Ben Foster to city rivals West Brom so we should expect a tough test in our opening Championship game. A convincing 5-1 win against Barnet in the League Cup should send out a warning to Chris Powell’s men who will face stern opposition in front of what is always a fervent crowd.
Potential Line Up
The Addicks kept to stereotype by crashing out of a cup competition to lower league opposition midweek against Leyton Orient yet not much can be read into pretty much second string line-up. Unlike last season, Charlton have had a quiet summer in the transfer market so most fans travelling up should be able to recognise the first team come Saturday. In fact, it may be the first time in years since we kicked off a season with no debutants.
Expect to see the excellent back five from last season with Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Morrison and CorTaylor starting for Chris Powell’s men. Throughout pre-season, there has been experimentation with formation switching between diamonds, flat midfield, one up front and 4-3-3 and although the structure may change, the personnel is unlikely to. Expect to see Stephens, Hollands, Jackson and Wagstaff/Green/Pritchard supporting BWP and Kermorgant up front. The luxury of having seven substitutes this season means more opportunity to affect change from the bench and impressive performances from new signings Kerkar and Cook are the two most likely ‘first options’ if things are not going well.
Prediction
There has been a lull in excitement around The Valley despite running away with the league last season yet Chris Powell and his squad need to have confidence in their ability and continue to ride on the wave of incredible success. The Addicks have a tough start to the season, so those first points on the board are going to be important. 1-1.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
I'd take a draw if offered it now, but will be pi$$ed off if we throw away a 3-goal lead to draw 3-3 (obviously).
Hamer
Solly Morrison Cort Wiggins
Pritchard Hollands Stephens Jackson
BWP Kermongant.
Charlton get off to a poor start but recover in second half to win 2 - 1
for some reason though, i think Powell might go defensive and play a 4-5-1 and really try to compact the middle.
still feeling optimistic and rightly so. we arent a bad side.
2-2
Hammer
Solly Morrison. Cort. Wiggins
Waggy. Pritchard. Hollands. Stephens. Jackson.
Kermit
BWP to come on after 60.
Still be a good day out though
WankerAmbrose goal.Tough game. 1-1
Expect the same lineup with players like Wags, Greena and Cook as potential changes but unfortunatly don't share your optimism. Think we will lose narrowly 2-1 Brum
My team would be
Hamer
Solly Morrison Cort Wiggins
Pritchard Stephens Hollands Jackson
Cook
Kermit
Very impressed with Cook the other night, i just wonder whether he could play the behind the striker role,
Get used to it folks
Hope I'm completely wrong
We're absolulely flying at the moment. I know it's only pre-season but our current bunch of players don't really know what it is like to lose.
I expect our back 4 to stay regimented and kermorgant to be on fire
Cries of Clark not knowing what he is doing will be heard at full time.
Think we'll put up a battle and lose 1-0 or 2-1.