Charlton Athletic vs Blackburn Rovers
3pm Kick-Off
Referee – Keith Stroud
INTRODUCTIONWhile the majority of you will be recovering from last night and some from the 3-0 defeat to Ipswich on Tuesday night, hopefully, this is a timely reminder that we have an FA Cup 3rd round clash against Blackburn on Saturday.
On that note, I would like to wish everyone, on a personal note, a very happy, safe and healthy 2015.
With any luck, this year will see a stress-free year for Charlton, who themselves have seemed to be playing with a hangover in the last few weeks. One win since November has increased pressure on Bob Peeters a little bit, so Saturday will be an important game for the Belgian and his side.
The last time these two sides met just before Christmas, saw Blackburn win comfortably, 2-0.
THE OPPOSITIONBlackburn have been very solid in the league so far and going about their business quite nicely.
At the moment, they are in 9th place in the league, five points outside of the play-offs and if they strengthen their side in January, there is no reason why Rovers cannot get into the top-six.
Having said that, Gary Bowyer’s side only won once in December (against us!) so, like the Addicks, Rovers are going through a spell of poor form.
The visitors are expected to make a few changes for this weekend. There have been a few players who have been affected by illness in recent days, including Josh King who was ruled out of the 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough and top-scorer Rudy Gestede.
In addition, Alex Baptiste, Jason Steele and Ryan Tunnicliffe are still not confirmed as being available for Saturday as the trio are on season-long loans from Bolton, Middlesbrough and Fulham respectively and require permission from their parent clubs to play.
ONE TO WATCH My player to watch this week is:
Jordan Rhodes.
The striker is a lethal predator in the box, proven by his nine league goals scored already this season, including that brace against Charlton in December.
The 24-year-old is strong, intelligent and has some pace about him too. With Charlton’s back-four/three looking increasingly shaky in recent weeks, Blackburn will look to Rhodes to cause problems and to be the match-winner.
LINE-UPPeeters’ will probably want to change one or two things, but with limited resources available, he may not be able to shuffle as much as he would like.
In goal, Nick Pope may be given another chance to show what he can do, although Neil Etheridge will want more game-time, if he is going to be a regular while Henderson is injured.
At the back, Chris Solly will probably be rested, Oguchi Onyewu is a doubt with a hamstring injury and Rhoys Wiggins is still unavailable through injury.
If it becomes a back-three again, then Joe Gomez, Andre Bikey and Tal Ben Haim could be the three, with Lawrie Wilson possibly as the right-wing back and Jordan Cousins as the left-wing back.
In midfield, Johnnie Jackson and Yoni Buyens should continue with Johann Berg Gudmundsson ahead of the duo.
Upfront, Igor Vetokele will probably start, but I can see Bob giving Joe Pigott a run-out with Karlan Ahearne-Grant also in contention.
PREDICTIONAnother draw meaning a replay at Ewood Park.
Charlton Athletic 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Comments
0-2 Blackburn
COYA!
Pope
Gomez TBH Bikey Fox
Wilson Buyens JJ Cousins
Igor George
JBG off the bench to win it for charlton 2-1
I'd like to think he'll start with what he perceives is his strongest side , injuries permitting.
We need to start winning at home and this game could be the one to begin the run .
As Curbs would say, we need to get back to winning ways and make a habit of it.
Like to see Gomez at centre back and Wilson get a game as well
If his contract ran out yesterday, and I haven't seen an announcement that he's signed a longer contract yet, then he is effectively a free agent and therefore even if we sign him now he wouldn't be eligible.
Or have I got it totally wrong?
CAFC 2 BRFC 5
Pope
Edwards Gomez Thomas Fox
Cousins Munns Muldoon Gerrard
Pigott Aherne-Grant
FA Cup is made to suffer in 2015 New Year's fixture list - it is being systematically emasculated by those who run it
The third round of the FA Cup is going to last ninety-eight-and-a-half hours and will provide the most forgettable Saturday of the football calendar
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/11320791/FA-Cup-is-made-to-suffer-in-2015-New-Years-fixture-list-it-is-being-systematically-emasculated-by-those-who-run-it.html
Blackburn away to Man City in next round.