why are all the kick offs at the weekend starting 7 minutes late, or have the bbc made another mistake? as for us I reckon another 3-0 defeat, we don't do well against good teams
dont know the exact reasoning for the time, but I know it has something to do with it being the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Does anyone know if we have sold our allocation or if there'll be tickets at the gate for this?
ticket office twitter yesterday said that tickets will be on sale on the day if we dont sell out. i doubt we would have sold out.
if you are thinking of going, train is a bargain from Romsey to Brighton. £8.80 return for me (10% online discount at the moment on Southern website).
Another Charlton fan in Romsey?! Small world haha. Turns out I'm in Brighton with work for the weekend so I thought I'd try and get along if they are selling them on the day.
we need a result to keep a positive tempo. Will be happy with a draw and ecstatic with a win. Stephens will probably have a blinder. Hopefully Poyet will be able to keep him quiet.
I am feeling ridiculously confident that we will get at least a point at the Amex. 1-1 at least, and maybe even a 1-2 victory. Wilson back at RB would be a big plus.
coached by Nathan Jones BHA will be decent opponents but with some of his protégées marshalling our midfield they will or should understand the pattern of play BHA will attempt, it will be precise, quick, ball to feet, move it quick, plenty of outlet off the ball. Still fancy us to nick a point if Jose sets the team up right and overall I have confidence in his selections so far, so looking forward to a good game…hope its sunny at the seaside
The problem for Riga is that after Saturday, we have 2 home games on Tuesday and Friday that will be easier. I'm sure he will be giving those games a higher priority.
April seems to be the Addicks’ lucky month in recent times.
Last season we didn’t lose at all during April and the season before that in the same month, we were crowned Champions during that awesome 2011/12 League One campaign.
Moreover, this weekend sees the one year anniversary of Charlton’s 6-0 away thrashing over Barnsley. A similar score this weekend would be the greatest shock since the Addicks managed to score more than one goal in a game, which funnily enough happened last Tuesday night!
In all seriousness, the 3-2 victory against Yeovil will no doubt add some much needed morale and confidence ahead of the trip to 7th place Brighton.
Additionally, Brighton will also be heading into the game on a high after defeating already-promoted, Leicester 4-1 at the King Power stadium in midweek which coincidentally, was their first victory in six matches.
The Opposition
Oscar Garcia’s Brighton side have just started to gain some momentum towards a possible Play-Off spot despite some disappointing results in March.
Tuesday night’s thrashing against Leicester will certainly give Albion fans hope that a few more performances like that could result in the chance of competing for Premier League football next year through the play-offs.
Brighton’s squad is also blessed with some brilliant talent with the likes of Leonardo Ulloa, Jesse Lingard and Kazenga Lua-Lua all capable of causing problems for the Addicks this weekend.
Player to Watch
The player to watch this weekend is without a shadow of doubt, Dale Stephens. Saturday will be the first time Dale has faced Charlton since his departure in January and after an outstanding performance on Tuesday night against Leicester, he could play a really key part for Brighton this weekend.
It's likely he'll be up against Diego Poyet in midfield and that will no doubt will a very intriguing battle indeed.
The Line –Up
I’d expect to see a similar side to the Yeovil victory after a good performance in an important match.
One change that may occur is Richard Wood dropped with Michael Morrison returning to centre back and (if available) Lawrie Wilson at right-back.
The midfield trio of Jackson, Poyet and Cousins should remain while Ajdarevic and Reza are likely to be able to roam once again behind the striker.
That striker is likely to be Marvin Sordell after an impressive display and a goal in midweek.
The likes of Jonathan Obika, Davide Petrucci, Callum Harriott and Simon Church will also be competing to get a starting spot on Saturday.
The Prediction
Repeat of last year’s performance and result at the AMEX.
Without getting carried away after the win against Yeovil, it's difficult to believe our forwards will have any joy at the Amex. I was disappointed with Obika who I hoped would lead the line - he looks far from being match fit. I expect Sordell will start with p'raps Reza on the right. How well they perform is really anyone's guess. That's the problem with our very limited strike force - I've no confidence in any of them - so it's a bit of a lottery. Fortunately we have a reliable defence (if Wilson returns) and a blossoming midfield. Hopefully these 2 units can keep the Seagulls at bay. Our best hope could be from a corner or freekick with Jackson and Dervite our threats. Going there to cheer them on. A draw would be brilliant - and a deadball kick could even nick us the win late on.
I don't buy this theory that we effectively don't go for the 3 points on Saturday and then bank on getting them v Barnsley as that is bigger. What if we don't beat Barnsley? We could then be back in the brown stuff. We need to keep at least ahead of Millwall by getting a point tomorrow which will mean that we can use our two games in hand to try and pull away from them. Not just get above them. If we lose and drop into the bottom three come 5pm confidence won't be great for next Tuesday.
I don't think anyone is suggesting that they are not trying to win against the top teams.
But, it's just like the FA Cup for the big teams.
If you're playing in the FA Cup on Saturday & Champions League on Tuesday, you make full use of your squad and try to ensure that your best players are fresher for the most important games.
PS It's working so far, as we are beating teams who aren't in the promotion hunt & losing to teams that are.
Win, lose, win, lose is better than 4 draws.
How else do you explain that Church plays against the top teams and not the lesser teams ?
Comments
Midweek next week is vital
if you are thinking of going, train is a bargain from Romsey to Brighton. £8.80 return for me (10% online discount at the moment on Southern website).
I'd be euphoric with a point and orgasmic with a win.....
In all honesty I would take a defeat on Saturday and 3 points against t'Barnsley
Still fancy us to nick a point if Jose sets the team up right and overall I have confidence in his selections so far, so looking forward to a good game…hope its sunny at the seaside
and he still wont score
But, it's just like the FA Cup for the big teams.
If you're playing in the FA Cup on Saturday & Champions League on Tuesday, you make full use of your squad and try to ensure that your best players are fresher for the most important games.
PS It's working so far, as we are beating teams who aren't in the promotion hunt & losing to teams that are.
Win, lose, win, lose is better than 4 draws.
How else do you explain that Church plays against the top teams and not the lesser teams ?
AA plays longer against the lesser teams etc.