Charlton welcome Barnsley to the Valley for the first home fixture of 2014 following the postponement of the Oxford United FA Cup match last weekend.
Since the Valley last hosted a league match, the Addicks have been taken-over by Belgian Roland Duchatelet and have had a ‘dome’ placed within the pitch to try and improve its condition. Despite recent efforts to improve the pitch, if more bad weather occurs, this weekend's fixture could be postponed. (picture from CAFCofficial Twitter)
Like the Addicks, Barnsley have also had recent changes to their side as former boss Danny Wilson took over managerial duties from David Flitcroft in December. Wilson’s return comes 15 years after he left the club.
The OppositionBarnsley are currently bottom of the Championship on 17 points and just when things couldn’t get worse for the Tykes, they lost 2-1 in the FA Cup third round against Coventry at Oakwell last Saturday.
Since Danny Wilson’s arrival in mid-December, Barnsley have yet to win and have only picked up two points out of a possible twelve. Wilson’s side will be looking to secure their first win in over a month against the Addicks this weekend.
Player to WatchThe player to watch is weekend is Barnsley striker Chris O’Grady. The ex-Wednesday striker has scored seven league goals this season for the Tykes and could cause the Addicks one or two problems this weekend. O’Grady is a decent finisher and being above 6ft means he could cause a few problems in the air.
The Line –UpAfter an unbeaten four match streak, Chris Powell’s squad will be in jubilant mood and after a good point away at Ipswich; there might not be much that Powell will change.
One change that Powell might have to make is replacing Cameron Stewart whose loan expired after the Ipswich match. The main candidates to replace Stewart are skipper Johnnie Jackson (who got the equaliser in that match against the Tractor Boys) or youth-product Callum Harriott who hasn’t quite enjoyed the season that he’s capable of.
Someone else who could replace Cameron Stewart is Jordan Cook who has rarely featured this season, but due to a fine second-half performance against Ipswich and because of his similar playing style to Stewart, he might get the opportunity to shine.
Ben Alnwick should keep his position in goal after a string of decent performances. The back-four of Solly, Wiggins, Morrison and Wood are likely to remain the same.
Dale Stephens and Jordan Cousins should continue in the middle of midfield while recent loan-signing Astrit Ajdarevic may make a substitute appearance.
Upfront, Yann Kermorgant will most likely be partnered with Simon Church although Michael Smith and Joe Pigott will also be pushing for starting spots.
PredictionNo it’s not 6-0 but an equally satisfying 2-0 victory.
Comments
Dodgy pitch, new owners has 1 nil Barnsley written all over it
Anyone have any inside knowledge if this is likely to go ahead?
5-1 Charlton ...
Game starts
1 up
Light shower
Match abandoned
Anyway an utterly mind numbing 0-0 draw awaits.
A quite unbelievable 2-1 defeat, incorporating a missed penalty, a did-it-cross-the-line-or-not, one off the post, two off the crossbar, and a sickening, blatantly offside, late winner for the Tykes.
I noticed on the Footballer's Football Show SCP talked about the concept of inverted wingers.This means that they would play away from their natural side and cut in on to a full backs weaker foot rather than going to the byline.He also stressed the importance of switching flanks when required.
The left footed Harriott could do this complementing the right footed Wilson. This could also explain why Jackson is so valuable in the squad as a fellow leftie when we play with a right footed winger.The acquisition of Ajdarevic now adds depth to our left footed options.
I also hope Michael Smith gets an opportunity on the bench.
Jackson to come on for the second half, bag a hat-trick, then go off injured.