There’s something about this Charlton team that you really just have to admire.
It can’t have been easy for Jackson, Hamer and co to respond following the sacking of Powell but recent results just go to show how much pride and passion this side has.
Hamer’s heroics and Reza’s sublime strike won a crucial game away at Leeds in midweek, a result that means we are three points above the relegation zone.
This weekend we welcome 6th place Reading to the Valley and a win against the Royals could potentially take us to 20th in the Championship.
The Opposition Reading’s promotion ambitions have been slightly dampened in the past month with Nigel Adkins’ side only winning two matches out of seven and with the likes of Forest, Ipswich and Brighton breathing down their necks for the last Play-Off spot.
However, Reading’s away form has been excellent recently with the Royals winning four out of their last five matches away from the Madejski Stadium.
Their squad is certainly good enough to get promoted with players such as Adam Le Fondre, Royston Drenthe and Pavel Pogrebnyak who all wouldn’t look too out of place in the Premier League.
The ManagerNigel Adkins: It took Adkins a while to settle at Reading since his harsh sacking from Southampton over a year ago after two consecutive promotions for the Saints.
Firstly, he was unable to help prevent Reading being relegated but he has managed to make the Royals into a decent side this year and they could potentially get promoted via the Play-Off zones come the end of the season.
The Line –UpTuesday night’s selection by Jose Riga certainly did raise a few eyebrows, but after an impressive 1-0 at Leeds, the line-up could possibly remain the same.
The fit-again Dorian Dervite was excellent so he should continue alongside Michael Morrison, Lawrie Wilson and Rhoys Wiggins in the back-four.
The midfield trio of Poyet, Cousins and Jackson will most likely resume while Reza and Ajdarevic should be given license to roam behind and around the front-man.
The most likely candidate to be that front-man is Jonathan Obika after the loanee offered a bit of a threat when coming on for Joe Pigott on Tuesday night. However, Obika will contest for the spot along with Pigott, Church and Sordell.
The PredictionJose Riga has yet to win on a Saturday with the Addicks and I can see that statistic continuing this weekend.
2-1 defeat.
Comments
Petrucci for astrit
1-1
Actually, reality check 1-0 Reading.
CAFC 1 v Reading 2
0-2
The suggested line up sits well with me but of course we have another 3 game week so with Yeovil rapidly following on will Jose spin the wheel and include say CH & MS. But no way will the back 5 be disturbed unless DD is running on empty.
Hope I'm wrong & he was just knackered.
As a few above I'd take a draw , right here , right now ..... But I reckon we'll lose 1-3
Reading are my local side, geographically speaking, so I will be aching to stuff them. Although their form is poor at home, it is good away, so it will be a very tough test. However, I think the confidence in the squad is growing and I think we will win this one 2-0.
While the front three are being rotated to keep them fresh/find someone who can score, the midfield 3 are playing game after game, at some point will one of them need to be rested, with maybe Petrucci coming in?
Agreed