Charlton Athletic v Crawley Town
Tuesday 4th October 2016 … 7:45pm Kick-Off
Football League Trophy
IntroductionFour draws and a single defeat… that was our record for the whole of September and if that footballing month was a report card it would read along the lines of: Must be more organised, ruthless yet not be afraid to make attacking changes where necessary… October began last Saturday and thanks to a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale; results appear to show no sign of improvement.
Thanks to International Call-ups once more, there will be no game this Saturday coming… Yet before everyone can have a break for two weeks there is the little sideshow that is the Football League Trophy, still in the Group stages and having drawn our first game against Southampton (yet gaining a bonus point after winning on penalties), we now play host to Crawley Town in a top of the group clash knowing that a win for either side will see the victors advance to the Second Round… C’mon Crawley!!
The OppositionName: Crawley Town |
Manager: Dermot Drummy
Ground: Broadfield Stadium
When the new format of the Football League Trophy was announced it was confirmed that each Group (of four teams) would have at least one team from each Division (so one Academy Team, one team from League One and one from League Two)… For once the draw worked in the Addicks favour and this Tuesday night we face the first of our League Two opponents.
Crawley Town have had a steady rise through the Football Pyramid… Like recent opponents: Fleetwood and Wimbledon, the Red Devils began in the Non-League system, breaking into the Football League in 2010… In 2011 it got better and after one season in League Two won promotion to League One… Since that season, they have been relegated (Crawley bounced back once more). With many sides who aim too high, financial problems set into the club and in 2015, the club were relegated back to League Two where they now remain.
Of course, this is the Football League Trophy, not a League game so enough of League problems that involve these two sides… This will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs and as mentioned, it is a top of the table clash (after Crawley won their opening fixture)… Who will manage to get the three points to advance to a non-regionalised second round? – To be honest I don’t think fans of either club really care, so brace yourself for what will surely be the lowest ever attendance at the Valley.
Charlton Team NewsFollowing defeat against Rochdale; Russell Slade believed that player decision making had to be better and that fans were unfair to boo substitutions coming on for other players… What he fails to realise is that many fans believe that his own decision making needs to be better and that the booing was reserved for him.
With the Football League Trophy now back, it means that Slade is restricted as to who is dropped from the starting eleven as a number of the squad who played on Saturday must play tomorrow night (Both Luton and Portsmouth ignored this rule but I don’t think that Charlton can afford the £5k fine)… Despite this its already been confirmed that Dillon Phillips will be the Goalkeeper in these cup matches whilst both U23 players: Anfernee Dijksteel and Joe Aribo are both expected to make their Addicks debuts, so expect kids and grown-ups to be delighted in regards to the latter.
Phillips
Foley | Bauer | Pearce | Chicksen
Holmes | Crofts | Dijksteel | Aribo
Ajose | Hanlan
Substitutes Bench: Rudd | Lennon | Konsa | Jackson | Fox | Novak | Umerah
PredictionRegardless of the fact that we were facing an academy side in our previous match, Charlton don’t seem too bothered if they go far or not… Of course that could change if Russell Slade feels his job is under threat and decides to try and win some silverware yet I’m expecting the Addicks to get more bonus points this evening in what will be another drab draw.
Comments
Commiserations to anyone who is going - you must really loathe spending time with your family if you're turning up for this waste of time.
Foley | Bauer | Pearce | Fox
Holmes | Crofts | Dijksteel | Aribo
Lookman | Magennis
Substitutes Bench: Philips| Lennon | Konsa | Jackson | Botaka | Novak | Ajose
Prediction
Lose 1-0 again.
As for tomorrows game, I cant see a win coming anywhere at the moment so its 1-1 for me. See you all on 15th.
However If you actually want to continue doing it, I'm glad that you'll be back!
First game I am missing through apathy in years.
Same with Botaka who I've removed from my Match-Day Squad
Starting Narcos Series 1
Solly | Foley | Johnson | Bauer | Pearce | Lennon | Fox | Chicksen
But playing four full-backs is that a little too adventurous?
The game to kick start the season. Wembley and automatic promotion in the same year.
That is home fans v away fans.
Phillips
Foley
Lennon
Pearce
Fox
Charles-Cook
Crofts
Dijksteel
Aribo
Ajose
Novak
Substitutes: Rudd, Konsa, Chicksen, Johnson, Jackson, Hanlan, Umerah
I know that everything might change of we get a sniff of Wembley, but this really is a joke competition now they have tainted it with B teams...
That said I predicted we'd beat Rochdale 3-0 so what do I know !
Oh, how irrelevant and pointless is the Pointless Trophy or whatever silly name it's called?
I'd actually prefer him not to throw too many in at once, better to see how one or two do alongside a strong side (not our strongest, since Lookman, Magennis and Botaka are all missing due to call ups).
;o)