Rearranged for: Tuesday 2nd February 2021 7pm Kick-OffReferee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)IntroductionIs there a changing of the wind in these parts? - Five points from the last four games is the very least that should be expected given the standard of the opposition of late but given our terrible form these last few months you could argue that stepping stones are being created towards something that could be construed as hope... A solid defensive display on Tuesday night would see the Addicks returning from Milton Keynes with all three points in what was the opposite from last Saturday.
We showed though against Bristol Rovers that this type of win is great if you can build upon it... If you dont take advantage of these positive moments (however small) then they become worthless - Fellow promotion challengers: Portsmouth visit on Saturday; Bowyer has said that the win on Tuesday will boost confidence, three more points on Saturday could do even greater for morale!!
The OppositionName: Portsmouth (5th) |
Manager: Kenny Jackett
Ground: Fratton Park
Previous Meeting: Portsmouth 0-2 Charlton Athletic
Portsmouth travel to South East London this Saturday knowing they dont have the best of records in these parts. Along with Middlesbrough they're one of two teams we've played the most in our existance, yet you have to go back to 2006 to find a Portsmouth win (even that, at the Valley has been a rarity), even worse for our opponents is the fact that Kenny Jackett has been unable to obtain even a point against his opposite number... Lets hope something doesnt change this Saturday come 5pm!!
As for this season its been a typical year in the third tier for Pompey, a slow start would see them in the relegation zone but for the most part they've had an impressive set of results that have only been punctured by the odd defeat (just like our own 2-0 win at Fratton Park in October) - Of late though, things have stuttered for our promotion rivals, they travel up the M3 this Saturday off the back of two defeats, both coming at home against Hull City and Lincoln City... The only bonus for their fans is the fact that Jack Whatmough is suspended this Saturday, having scored two own goals in the former and getting sent off in the latter, you could definitely argue he's NOT a player in form!!
Elsewhere though and Portsmouth continue to have the players that can hurt us... They've played two games less yet have only scored one goal fewer than ourselves and have a much tighter defence (although thats the case for much of the Division) - The five goals they've conceded these last two games are the first they've conceded since the 1st December, lets hope we're looking at another team who are set to go on a similar run to the one we've been on!!
Charlton Team NewsFor once things are looking a little positive amongst the Charlton squad, especially with regards to injuries... With Alfie Doughty moving to sunny Stoke it means that the task of the physio has potentially been reduced slightly, I say potentially as Conor Washington is the latest to be absent with a problem, the Striker was replaced shortly after half-time and will go for a scan on his calf-injury at some point today.
It leaves him with Ryan Iniss and potentially James Vennings as our main absentees... Akin Famewo could potentially rejoin training today yet with Portsmouth visiting just days away it may well be worth leaving him a further week at the very least - Elsewhere and Ian Maatsen becomes available again after being rested on Tuesday night, whilst Paul Smyth has of course been recalled by his parent club.
Amos
Gunter | Oshilaja | Pearce | Maatsen
Shinnie | Pratley | Forster-Caskey
Millar
Stockley | Aneke
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer | Matthews | Purrington | Williams | Morgan | Schwartz | Bogle
PredictionAs is always the case with Charlton, predicting any result is always an extremely difficult task to do...
Its even harder when a team that has mostly been in form come to town as based on previous results you'd believe that there can be only one outcome - The Addicks have become a bogey team for their opponents, and as we showed against Peterborough, the signs are there against a top team, we potentially just need the advantage of having a better pitch to achieve the goals we set for ourselves... One thing is for certain, with others having games in hand on us (Portsmouth have two), lets put the pressure right on them and make it even more important when those particular fixtures come round!!
Comments
Initiallly thought the Referee was the fella we had for the Play-Off Final back in 2019 - Its of course the "disgraced" brother who controversially got sacked from the Premier League officials list after some debatable comments that he said in private
Regardless what has gone on previously its good he's getting another chance
Its also good as we should be getting a pretty good Referee for what is a big match!!
Matthews, Gunter, Oshilaja, Maatsen
Pratley
JFC, Shinnie
Millar
Aneke, Stockley
He would be bonkers to change the back four for two reasons. One, it kept a clean sheet during a time where we’ve been leaking goals, two, Gunter at CB worked wonders last time out against Portsmouth, unless of course someone can’t start due to quick fixture turnover.
Too soon for Watson, otherwise I reckon he would change one of the midfield for him, and Washington sounding like he’s out so two big men up top, so Millar will need to be on his game to get the service in.
I fancy us, 1-0 Stockley.
Charlton only have 4 games to play in February.
I believe Accrington have 7 or 8 games and others have 6 or 7 to play so for us to still be in contention at the end of February we need at least 10 points from our 4 games.
Not impossible but we will have to show a lot more consistency than recently.
I'm going for a 2.1 win for the mighty Addicks and we can all enjoy the post match thread later.
Onwards and upwards.
2-1, Aneke and Matthews
The midfield should really pick its self, it's 2 from 3 up top and at the back.
I would go with Pearce for this one as its likely to be a greeko roman wrestling match with Marquees, more WWE than EFL.
Be intresting if Bogle is on the bench, if he is even still here, even more interesting if he comes on.
I am more optimistic after the last 5 matches, each dropped point you could shrug your shoulders and say "what can you do"? Is the tanker slowly turning?
3-0 the Addicks Stockley, JFC and new intercontinental champion Jason Pearce.
What colour kit will Pompey wear on Saturday - their traditional blue shirts and white shorts, or their away kit of all orange?
The obvious answer should be blue shirts but given they wore their bloody awful away kit when they played at Fleetwood (red shirts with white sleeves) a couple of weeks ago I'm half-expecting a f***ing eye-sore of an afternoon.
2-0 to the Reds, Stockley and The Beast, as their nemesis returns
If we could drive him around in a motorised trolley that would be ideal.
Last clean sheet was a fluke I'm afraid.
1-3
A Josh Magennis own goal to ruin the BTTV 25 celebrations in 2017 ?
And the ref?
A. Madley
I think Maatsen by default is the number 3 no question, he was rested because of a slight knock midweek. I was more implying that Pearce should not start.