The Introduction
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat.
And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.
The Opposition
The Glovers' leaky boat arrives at the Valley newly buoyed by a win at rapidly sinking Blackpool. That win was their first in six and they are still bottom but they have seen the gap to Charlton, and so 4th from bottom, ebb again. They are now just three points and three goals behind the Addicks.
That stat of one win in six, however, hides three very creditable draws against Bolton, Wigan and Leicester. And importantly they were all score draws, a result Charlton have not achieved since New Year's Day.
Top scorer "Call me Ishmael" Miller walked out on Yeovil after a row with boss Gary Johnson but their on-loan Manchester United striker Tom Lawrence stepped up on Saturday with the winner.
The Yeovil player to watch will be Keeper Matt Gilks. The Scottish international played for Blackpool in the Premiership and has come to Town's rescue on many an occasion this season. How much he is tested will be key to the result.
The Line Up
The charitable among the Charlton crew have suggested that the inclusion of Simon Church (for a full 94 minutes as well) was part of a clever rotation system that will see our strongest team take the field in this crucial six pointer. That doesn't explain the disappearance of Pigott or why if you are fielding a weak team you don't select Danny Green.
The less charitable might say the the Captain of the ship is still trying valiantly to find a formation that makes the most of the limited attacking options at his disposal and that no one is clear, let alone Jose Riga, as to what our best strike force may be.
Regardless Preview Towers expects Jose to revert to 4 - 3 - 1 - 2. The question is if Ajdarevic, Jackson or even Petrucci is given the deep lying centre forward role and which of our goal shy strikers make up the front two. The back five plus the holding midfield of Poyet and Cousins pick themselves.
Hamer
Wilson Morrison Dervitte Wiggins
Cousins Poyet Jackson
Ajdarevic
Obika Reza
The Prediction
1 - 1 that suits us better than them but neither side very much
The Useless Fact
Yeovil are one of only four current league sides that have played but never beaten Charlton in the league. The record stands at played 7 Won 5 drawn 2 Lost 0
For some light relief in between nail biting can you name the other three?
1
Comments
York City?
Cheltenham
Morecambe
Fleetwood
Three teams we've played.
Correct
P4 W4 D0 L0
Cousins Morrison Dervite Wiggins
Wilson Poyet Jackson Harriott
Ajdarevic
Obika
Or a 3-0 Church hatrick and we all go home dreaming of a team of Simon Church's
Correct
Crewe P4 W4 D0 L0
I like that line up but can't see it happening.
Wilson Morrison Dervite Wiggins
Cousins Poyet
Reza Jackson Harriott
Obika
Will be a tough game, i predict 1-1 which would be okay for us if neither Barnsley or Millwall win.
2-1 Yeovil.
Wish I could feel optimistic about this but all the pressure will be on us. They will be right up for it.
Also wish we could be informed in advance if Church is selected so we have the option of staying at home
0-0 is our best hope at home it seems.
0-0.
I looked it up though.
Huge , huge game - however Yeovil are no mugs and have a good recent away record - scoring goals too.
As Henry says, lots of nail-biting methinks.
1-1 , as Yeovil always seem to score - just hope its not them scoring first as that could be a serious problem.
BTW, Bookies now have Millwall 1/5 for relegation, Yeovil 1/8, and us 4/1.
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/relegation
Hamer
Sho silva
Morro
Dervite
Azeez
Harriott
Reza
Obika
Church
Piggott
Sordell
We can defend but can't score, they can score but can't defend.
I'm going to put money on 3-2 Charlton win