IntroductionIt’s hard to remember that we actually have another match this weekend, after a painful and disappointing derby defeat to Millwall last weekend many could be forgiven for forgetting that we have another fixture on Saturday.
Thankfully, we can move on and hope to get three points this weekend as long as we aren’t playing away against anyone in form...oh wait. If we have to bounce back from the Millwall defeat, we will have to beat Sean Dyche’s Burnley who have been the season’s surprising package so far with the Lancashire club currently sitting in 2nd place.
The OppositionAfter the sale of key-striker Charlie Austin to fellow-Championship club QPR, there were a few who would have picked out Burnley to get relegated this season. However, much to the credit of Sean Dyche and his playing staff, they have deserved their current position in the table, playing some decent football and beating some difficult opponents.
Burnley have only lost one game so far this season and have won five out of a possible eight games. In their last league fixture, Burnley defeated Leeds 2-1, thanks to a winner from Sam Vokes who has formed a deadly partnership with Danny Ings with the pair scoring nine league goals between them this season.
Player to WatchThe player to watch this weekend is Burnley striker Danny Ings. The striker struggled to make an immediate impact for Burnley when he joined for £1m in 2011 mainly due to injuries. However, the ex-Bournemouth man has certainly made his mark so far this season and the 21-year-old will be a constant threat to the Charlton back four this weekend.
The Line –Up The line-up/formation this weekend for Powell is a very tricky situation. The recent 3-5-2 experiment started promisingly enough, but after two back-to-back defeats, there have been many calls for the 4-4-2 formation to return.
If the 4-4-2 formation does return, then we could see a first-start for loan-signing Cameron Stewart who was one of the very few bright sparks last weekend. We could also see youth-products Callum Harriott and Jordan Cousins return to the starting line-up in midfield.
Another selection headache for Powell will be who his centre-back partnership will be. Michael Morrison will no doubt start but Dorian Dervite and Richard Wood will be competing for other centre-back spot.
A doubt for Saturday is Yann Kermorgant who missed the last two defeats, and if Charlton want to get a result out of Burnley, they will be hoping that Yann can return to give the side a lift. If Yann doesn’t manage to shake off the injury, then it’s likely that on-loan striker Marvin Sordell will return to the starting eleven ahead of Joe Pigott.
The PredictionWe’ll get a surprising 1-0 away victory and Powell will be in demand for a knighthood again.
Comments
However, Charlton always confound me & I fancy us to sneak a win 1-2.
I'll go for a shock Charlton win and our first clean sheet of the season.
0-1
Kermorgant
I agree we need to think about reverting to four or five in midfield with a flat back four, but there's no way I'd start Pritchard on the right, especiallly with Stewart available - an actual right winger. Get him in and Harriott on the left and go for it.
I fear we will get what we always used to bet at places like Turf Moor. And, statistically we are well overdue for a stuffing, so I'll go for 3-0.
we are dogturd and to think some of the freakshow were punchy about us after a miracle 9th last year
once again the players will look to the fans for inspiration but unless they have decent sight they wont see the 400 hardy travellers in the massive away end
5-1 to the burn-er-ley
Tickets are available until 3pm today & must be collected from The Valley
0-2 if we play 3-5-2
0-3 if we play 4-3-3
0-4 if we play 4-4-2
Wont even be listening (he lied).
With yann with a very slim chance.
we lose 3-0
Routine north west 3-0 defeat. All about the home form this year.
0-0
Tactically speaking, we could be outrageous and try putting our best players in the team.
Stewart in the starting 11 please.
Pay on the day option?
I had absolutely no intention of going anyway, not somewhere I plan to go back. Fair play to anyone journeying up.