Wigan Athletic vs Charlton Athletic
7.45pm Kick-Off
Referee – CHRISTOPHER KAVANAGH
INTRODUCTION
Despite the uncertainty off the pitch with certain boardroom decisions and actions, last Saturday’s 3-0 convincing and fairly comfortable victory over Brentford has lifted the mood a little and a Friday night victory over Wigan would see the Addicks achieve back-to-back victories for the first time since August.
While life at The Valley has been a bit of a rollercoaster in the past twelve months, the feeling at Wigan must be very similar.
After reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season, the Latics were tipped to get promoted this campaign, but a tough start to the season as well as the off-the-field allegations surrounding chairman Dave Whelan has seen Wigan decline to the relegation zone of the Championship.
A win for the hosts would mean they would be only three points off 21st place, while victory for Guy Luzon’s side could take them up to 12th place as long as Birmingham do not get any points against Middlesbrough tonight (Wednesday).
THE OPPOSITION
As mentioned before, Wigan’s recent decline in the last few years has been a real eye-opener.
It’s likely that the Lancashire side will be down towards the bottom of the Championship at the end of the season, unless manager Malky Mackay can help stabilise the team and lead them to a ‘great escape’.
Before Tuesday night, Wigan had only one won once since Mackay took over in November, but after defeating Reading 1-0 at the Madejski Stadium in midweek, some confidence may have been injected into the side ahead of the tie on Friday night.
January’s transfer window was a busy one for Mackay and Wigan as a number of players came in and out of the DW stadium. Harry Maguire and youngster Seyi Ojo arrived on loan from Hull and Liverpool respectively, while Kim Bo-Kyung arrived from Cardiff to link up with Mackay again, despite the 42 year-old’s infamous texts about the South Korean international.
ONE TO WATCH – JAMES McCLEAN
My player to watch this weekend is Wigan winger: James McClean.
The midfielder was once a regular feature in the Premier League and his talents looked as if he was going to have a long career in the division.
However, he has been unable to help Wigan out the relegation zone as yet, but still shouldn’t be underestimated.
On his day, McClean can cause a number of problems with his favourable left-foot and his pace down the wing.
If Wigan are going to get anything out of the game on Friday night, they shall be looking at the Republic of Ireland international to be at his best and guide his side to victory.
LINE-UP
Luzon’s selection against Brentford was spot on and if it wasn’t for enforced injury changes, I’m certain the Israeli would have kept the same side.
Stephen Henderson will hopefully be fit enough after showing what the Addicks missed in his solid performance against the Bees.
In defence, Chris Solly is likely to start at right-back, while Roger Johnson will hopefully be fit enough after cracking a rib last weekend. Rhoys Wiggins is likely to miss out following a first-half injury last Saturday, so Morgan Fox should deputise again.
In midfield, Yoni Buyens should replace the injured Johnnie Jackson although Christophe Lepoint will also be in contention to replace the skipper.
Frederic Bulot is likely to keep his place on the left side of midfield after his brilliant performance last Saturday.
Igor Vetokele and Tony Watt will hopefully be fit enough to partner each other upfront again.
PREDICTION
A solid performance and a win to go with it.
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Charlton Athletic
1
Comments
3-2 Wigan and it's all the refs fault or how unlucky we are to be playing Wigan now they have turned the corner etc etc
0-2 to us and the cruelly misjudged Luzon nominated for the Nobel peace prize and as the next Pope
or
2-0 to Wigan and clueless Luzor condemned as the devil incarnate's hand-puppet driving the network bus at full speed to Doomsville SE7.
1-0 to the pie munching pier less soap dodging norverners!
Team as unchanged as possible from last time - I can't really express how good it is to see Henderson back in goal at last - I hope that Johnson is fit, if not, then Bikey is the man to replace him.
Wigan Athletic 1 v Charlton Athletic 1
Hate to say though the fact that Wigan havent won at home since August says it all for me and will probably mean a Home win going down in Charlton folklore along with Southampton @ St. Marys (Hadnt won a home game at their new Stadium until we showed up) and Fernando Morientes (Hadnt scored once for Liverpool until they came to the Valley).
Still going to continue with my usual routine of never predicting a Charlton defeat so... Wigan Athletic 0-2 Charlton Athletic
fair play to the hardy 300 who will travel
bulot......................JAG
......cousins Buyers
fox Bikey TBH Sally
.........Henderson
A battling performance from the addicks sees us win 2-1 as we score in the 89th minute after Wigan commit too many forward on search of the three points!
Watt and cousins to score!
COYR!!!
Think it will take more than six days to recover from a cracked rib....
I guess with Johnson it could be a case where they'll pump him with injections for the rest of the season and then deal with the ribs in the summer
Solly---------Ben Haim-----Johnson/Bikey--------Fox
Gudmundsson---Cousins---Eagles-----Bulot
-------------Vetokele---Watt
Subs
Dmitrovic
Gomez
Bikey/Johnson
Wilson
Lepoint
Harriott
Church
0-1 WIN another assist from Watt on a Vetokele goal.