Charlton Athletic and the FA cup is a romance which has never really bloomed but this year it appears that love isn't quite over yet. The Oldest association football competition in the world has seen 132 finals contested. With Charlton winning the competition once in 1947. The Addicks have ventured into the 5th round of the competition for the first time in 10 years.
Water from the heavens above prevented this fixture first time round, so 48 hours after Charlton's much needed victory over QPR; we venture north to Hillsborough to take on the "Massive" Sheffield Wednesday. Winners of the game have the lure of taking on League One opposition in Sheffield Utd who beat Nottingham forest in their 5th round match last week.
Here's 3 Facts you NEVER knew about Sheffield:
- Sheffield buy fewer bars of soap per person than any other British city.
- Sheffield has more parking attendants than doctors.
- Sheffield is not actually "Massive".
The Opposition
Wednesday have won the FA cup 3 times in their history and will be hoping for a full house Monday. After a recent managerial change at Wednesday, the Owls have a enjoyed an improvement in form. A 2-0 victory over Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield see Wednesday coming into the game full of confidence. Much of the media and Owls fans have eyes set on the prospect of an all Sheffield Quarter final; should the Owls claim victory in the 5th round. Wednesday boss Stuart Gray could welcome back on loan striker Benik Afobe to the side, with Reda Johnson and Michail Antonio who are major doubts for the game.
Charlton Team news
After Saturdays victory Chris Powell would have been pleased to see so many positive performances. Marcus Tudgay will be ineligible to face his former club in the cup as he did not sign in time. Ben Hamer will be pushing for a recall after recovering from an ankle injury. Leon Cort & Chirs Solly remain out. Fitness will be a key element in Powell's selection but with the lure of a Quarter final for the first time since 2006 who would not want to be part of this game?
Prediction
Both sides come into the game after good victories on Saturday. Wednesday will have to deal with the added pressure of what could await in the next round. A packed Hillsborough will be rocking but in Chris Powell we trust. A tight edgy affair is something that can almost be guaranteed. It's why we love the beautiful game.. right?
Don't forget your hashtags
#SWFCvsCAFC
#FAcup
Will the scorching pressure of what awaits, be a good or bad thing for the blue & white half of Sheffield?
Over to you....
3
Comments
It won't be anywhere near a full house because of the unattractive opponents.
Both teams will be on a bit of a high after good wins at the weekend but with Wednesday resting a lot of their first team on the Saturday they might go into the game with a bit of an advantage along with not having the 3-4 hour road trip to endure.
Wednesday should start as favourites but it's the cup and anything could happen and I'm guessing Charlton's backing will be considerably less than would've been on the original date although can't believe you took less than 400 up to Huddersfield in the previous round.
Safe journey up for those coming
WAWAW
Don't want a replay!
Wasn't it a 1/4 final against Bolton a few years back when we lost 1-0 ?
Extra Prediction: Our fans having to put up with being called a pathetic tin pot club by the middle aged fans of the Wendies after the game as we try to get to our coach/car/train home, just like in the league 1 winning season when they threw their toys out of the pram to.
Really looking forward to a trip to the biggest team in Sheffield in the next round, loved it the last time, really decent bunch of fans, COYR!
As for the comment about The Pjgs being the bigger Sheffield team, that's like me saying Millwall than Charlton, It's said to wind people up but we know really it's nonsense.
Llera has done well since his recall to the first team due to our injuries and I guess you look on him like we do Morrison in your defence, both were poor when they played for the opposition.
It's a big prize for the winners with a Quarter Final place at stake so I expect a cagey game Charlton and a nervous display from Wednesday which I think will make for a poor game but at the end of the day it's the result that matters.
WAWAW
Hamer
Wilson Dervite, Wood, Fox
Harriot, Poyet, AA, Pritchard, Rezza
Sordell,
No point in using the big guns against this poor team. May as we'll cruise to the 6th round.
We don't want a replay, so that's exactly what we are likely to get.
Hopefully it's not too cold either.
Think a huge % of their numbers at London games live down here.