Introduction
It has been a good Easter for the Addicks as they secured four crucial points that has helped raise the side up the table and further away from the relegation battle. Saturday sees Leeds travel down to the Valley and if it is anything like the last time both teams met, then the majority of supporters within the ground will be in for a treat.
Saturday will also see Leeds have a different man in charge after Neil Warnock departed following a 2-1 defeat to Derby last Monday. The man likely to be in charge of the Whites on Saturday is ex-CAFC midfielder Neil Redfearn who scored three goals in thirty matches during his spell with the Addicks.
The Opposition
Neil Warnock’s departure from Leeds did not come as a massive shock especially as the club were winless in six matches. Out of those last six matches, Leeds have drawn three and lost three which has resulted in the side dropping down the table and currently in 12th place.
Despite their recent run of form, Leeds still have enough ability within their side to pick up some momentum and results that could guide them towards a chance of a play-off spot. The players with ability within the Whites squad that could cause the Addicks a few problems include strikers Ross McCormack and ex-Millwall front-man Steve Morison.
In addition to Leeds’ impressive strike-force, they also have a number of youth protégés to watch out for on Saturday including Sam Byram who has attracted Premier League interest due to his impressive season. However other youth-import in the shape of defender Tom Lees is still suspended following a straight red- card against Ipswich two games ago.
The Line -Up
After adjusting the formation to a 4-5-1 to contain Brighton in midweek, I expect Chris Powell to revert back to a 4-4-2 formation against Leeds. Due to the change of formation, I would expect to see Lawrie Wilson dropped with Bradley Pritchard returning to right-wing and Ricardo Fuller to be selected upfront meaning it might be the same eleven that defeated Bolton last weekend.
Despite Matt Taylor returning to the squad midweek, I still expect Dorian Dervite to be selected at centre-back following an excellent display at Brighton last Tuesday. Hamer should keep his place after a superb performance at the AMEX in midweek.
Andy Hughes is likely to start again against his former team which he desires very deeply. Jackson should partner him in the centre of midfield while Harriott is more than likely to keep his place on left-wing. Mark Gower and Dale Stephens will be pushing for a starting place and with his permit still not resolved, recent signing Florent Rouamba is unlikely to feature.
Predicted Line-Up
Hamer; Solly, Dervite, Morrison, Wiggins; Pritchard, Hughes, Jackson, Harriott; Kermorgant, Fuller.
The Prediction
Another battling performance concluding in a 2-1 home victory for the Addicks.
0
Comments
Leeds Utd forced Charlton in receivership in 1984 due to unpaid instalements for Carl Harris.
1 - 0 to the Addicks
2-1.
“The effort we put in after going 2-0 down on Saturday was immense and our fans are going to play a big part in that on Saturday.
We really want them to get behind us, cheer us on and be our twelfth man because that helps."
Leeds win for me due to 1) new manager syndrome 2) our benevolent nature and 3) our innate inconsistency.
I will be happily proved wrong of course.
Charlton are at their best as underdogs.
As ever I'll take a point right now but would be euphoric with a win.
'e i e i e i o up the football league we go'
Leeds will be too Northern for us to cope with.
we will score but it will be 1-6.
The crowd need to treat it like the Cardiff game, right from the first whistle.
Get the win against Leeds and there will be daylight between us and the desperate.
Charlton Athletic 2 v Leeds United 0
The Trivia
The Play Off Final Replay, between Charlton Athletic and Leeds United, at neutral Birmingham St. Andrews, in 1987 is a record for one teams fans outnumbering anothers at a Play Off Final , unchallenged to this day the 10 to 1 Leeds had that day made it seem like an away fixture but thankfully for us away attendances don't win matches and there was plenty of room for the 1700 odd Charlton fans to celebrate in the sparsely populated corner of St.Andrews that we were allocated
I think we wont lose this one but a draw is the more likely outcome 1-1
Is this the third time this season we are facing a team who has just lost its manager /got a new manager Blackburn x 2
Start the noise early.
This is a big one.
Win takes the pressure off.