Wigan Athletic v Charlton Athletic
Friday 29th December 2017 … 7:45pm Kick-Off
Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland)
IntroductionIt’s amazing how quickly fortunes can change within Football… Slightly over a month ago the Addicks were sitting in third position, and as one of the form teams in the Division, were the side most likely to break into the automatic spots. Fast forward to the end of December though and it’s a mess. No wins in seven have seen Charlton slipping out of the Play-Offs, that takeover had better happen soon else we could be doomed to endure another season in League One.
The OppositionName: Wigan Athletic |
Manager: Paul Cook
Ground: DW Stadium
As we enter the last game of 2017 it’s probably fitting that we end it in the picturesque seaside town of Wigan… For fans making the trip up the M6 who need to be entertained prior to kick-off, there is always the world famous pier with its stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean. In terms of Football though we’re probably facing the League Champions this evening… After winning the Division two years ago; Wigan made an instant return to this level, that looks to be short lived with the Latics surely yo-yoing once more back into the Championship for another attempt in the second tier next season.
When Wigan visited the Valley in September it was certainly a clash of the titans at this level… Charlton were undefeated in four matches and looked strong, whilst our opponents had just lost to the surprise package this season that are Shrewsbury Town – Sadly though when the match begun it was quite clear that Wigan were a level above ourselves, Jake Forster-Caskey hit the crossbar with an early effort which could have changed the match yet ultimately, those who saw the game could have little to complain about.
I guess the warning signs were already there, showing this wouldn’t be like our title winning year!!
Charlton Team NewsTwo questions certainly have to be asked ahead of tonight’s game… (1) Why is there a revolving door of injuries at the moment and (2) How many players will be on the bench for this evening’s game!!
Tackling the first question it seems as though Ricky Holmes (who returned against Southend) is now injured again with yet another muscle issue, failing to make the Boxing Day clash and no doubt missing tonight is winger: Mark Marshall who has struggled to impress this season, he was replaced in the line up by Karlan Ahearne-Grant who despite having his doubters this season was one of the more impressive players… One player potentially able to return this evening is Patrick Bauer, the defender has potentially been Player of the Year for us this season and with the Belgians likely to leave, is one of the view positive signings from their regime.
Amos
Dijksteel | Bauer | Lennon | Dasilva
Konsa | Aribo
Ahearne-Grant | Reeves | Magennis
Hackett-Fairchild
Substitutes Bench: Phillips | Sarr | Jackson | Lapslie | Dodoo | Kashi
PredictionAny form of result will be a positive one… Whilst in a horrible run of form the last thing you want to deal with is the league leaders and that is exactly what we have to do – With so many injuries its impossible to create a settled first eleven, something that Karl Robinson must be struggling to handle… With new owners on the horizon you have to wonder how long our scouse manager has though.
Comments
I'm hoping for a post-Katrien bounce, but expecting a sound 5-0 thrashing.
Indeed as she's still working her notice, perhaps we should put her on the bench tonight!
0-1
Having said that i think we would struggle even with a fully fit squad to select from. So given that we would struggle just about anywhere right now it is probably best to be playing a team nailed on to beat us anyway.
Cue the 0-1 away day mugging.
I'd be surprised if he didnt start but added him to bench purely because he was hauled off at Half-Time on Boxing Day
We are nowhere near strong enough to get anything tonight.
3.0 Wigan
5-0
Will Sarr be in the team following the loss (from the club) of his play thing?
Querying the Player of the Year comment? - If so I think he has been one of our better players and his name was mentioned as POTY in another thread the other day so took it from there
Amos
Dijksteel | Bauer | Lennon | Dasilva
Reeves | Konsa | Aribo | Lapslie
Ahearne-Grant | Hackett-Fairchild
Substitutes Bench: Phillips | Sarr | Jackson | Kashi | Dodoo | Magennis
Go young, let these players know that there is no pressure on them for this one. Whatever the result is they benefit from being started against a strong side.
These should be fitter, hungrier and more committed players to those we have been putting out lately.
If we're still in it with 20 to play bring Magennis, Dodoo & Sarr on for Reeco, Reeves and Lennon respectively to avoid injuries to those players.
Normally none of the above would even be a consideration, but I feel we have no choice at the moment but to try the youth and try something new...
A recurring nightmare of a week P3 L3 F 1 A13, so the draw against Blackpool last Saturday and two goals to our credit means it can't be quite as bad unless Wigan top their 7 at Oxford.............they won't will they?
He'll be a good player but playing him against Wigan would damage him I think
Jacko comes on at half time and bangs in a hattrick. He gets booked after the second goal for pulling a Pinocchio mask out of his sock and setting fire to it, and is sent off after the third goal when he rips off his shirt to reveal a "Bring back Powell" slogan.