As long as we eliminate the donations at the back,a clean sheet is on the cards,can see us causing problems at corners with our height,but and it is a great big but,we have to get the ball to the far post.We have had so many corners in our first 2 games without once troubling the keeper.
Oxford United v Charlton Athletic Saturday 14th August 2021 … 3pm Kick-Off Referee: Thomas Bramall
Introduction A goalless
draw against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday wasn’t the worst start to a
league campaign in the world but wasn’t exactly the best either – Hopefully it’ll
end up being a hangover from pre-season with sharpness still lacking for a few
weeks, but it’s an “excuse” that can’t last for long. August will throw up some
tough fixtures, whilst promotion / relegation can’t be decided as yet; it’s not
ideal playing catch up.
This
Saturday the Valley faithful head to Oxford, the transfer window may be open
for a few more weeks, but we can’t be sitting on our hands, hoping that new
bodies will come in – The season has started so let’s not get left behind where
it truly matters
The Opposition Name: Oxford United | Manager: Karl Robinson Ground: Kassam Stadium PreviousMeeting: Oxford United 0-0 Charlton Athletic
Unfortunately
the Kassam Stadium is for many where our dreams of the Play-Offs ended last
season and to an extent they have a point – A penalty in the dying moments,
Ronnie Schwartz with a chance of redemption… Well in true Charlton fashion we
know what happened next and what transpired.
Our
opponents last week (with their off the field issues) may not be a threat this
season, but you’d certainly expect to see Oxford challenging again this term. Evidence of that is the reminder that this
appears a team that starts a season slowly (they’d only obtain four wins before
the end of November last year), yet get stronger as the season progresses, a
1-1 draw on the opening day of the season at Cambridge, although not in the
middle of the River Thames for once, is potential proof of that.
Just
four permanent signings have been made by our opponents along with three loans,
perhaps evidence of where others are struggling to find the right targets as
well as ourselves…
My pick
of those to watch is firstly Billy Bodin, still only 29 yet released from
Preston in the summer… Whilst the left winger struggled in the Championship he
knows where the goal was at this level, scoring 13-goals for Bristol Rovers in
his last full season in League One – Gavin Whyte on the other hand is their
loan signing to watch, and another International team mate that Conor
Washington will know well, a threat when Oxford played us at the Valley in
2018/19, scoring an impressive solo goal in what would be a 1-1 draw.
Charlton Team News Until
we see new bodies it’s unlikely that we’ll see huge changes to the starting
eleven – Something that was probably stressed by the performance last night
when the Addicks once again disappeared from the League Cup just as quickly as
they entered… next year will be our year I’m sure of it.
So
with the squad picking itself it’s on to those currently absent, well sadly
there isn’t much to report there either, for those who didn’t see the article
yesterday, it’s likely that Ben Purrington, Alex Gilbey and Ronnie Schwartz
will remain out of the team for a little longer, that’s if the latter is ever
seen amongst the first team again.
MacGillivray Matthews
– Inniss – Famewo – Gunter Clare
– Dobson Morgan Jaiyesimi
– Stockley – Washington
Prediction If
there has been one positive from this last week it’s the fact that against Sheffield
Wednesday, our defence for the most part looked impenetrable… Ryan Inniss and
Akin Famewo at the very least have picked up where they ended last term,
provided those two stay fit (a concern for the whole team) it’s likely that we’ll
be able to record a clean sheet.
Unless
Jayden Stockley’s gorgeous head can be found in the box, it’s likely that we’ll
be looking at another stalemate – For those making the journey, I really wouldn’t
expect this to be a classic, but what do I know.
Do we need to start kirk right away or should be eased into it as a sub?
How we start him will have a lot to do with his state of mind following the death of his father. Hopefully start him Saturday but if he needs a bit of time he should be given it.
I want to change an under 22 ticket I have purchased to a full adult one. My son's friend has Covid! I presume this is possible via the ticket office. Does anybody know?
We probably need to calm a bit about Kirk. Might well take him time to settle, might make a few mistakes and disappoint at first. We as fans are so jumpy could see him being given stick if he doesn’t hit the ground running.
Whatever happens, the football is going to be so much better this year. Last year it was unwatchable - stomach churning at times. I'll never forget the heart-dropping feeling every time I saw that Pratley-Watson midfield lineup announced. We've got a much more energetic and technical team and it should produce some good stuff.
We probably need to calm a bit about Kirk. Might well take him time to settle, might make a few mistakes and disappoint at first. We as fans are so jumpy could see him being given stick if he doesn’t hit the ground running.
Given everything that’s gone on in his personal life, I don’t expect to see him involved in either this weekend’s game, or midweek against MK.
Wouldn’t be shocked if he makes his debut off the bench against Wigan and then starts against Crewe.
His situation is well publicised at this point so I’d like to think he’s going to get a lot of slack from the supporters. He’s picked the right club to join at this point in his career and in his life.
Comments
Oxford United 0 v CAFC 0 .. a boring yet (I M O) quite satisfactory start, along with the home draw, to what will be a long and tough season
Supporters all over the world will be able to watch CharltonTV’s popular pre-shows live on YouTube this season, starting this Saturday (August 14th).
Hoping for a couple of 11th hour signings to come off the bench and turn the match in our favour.
Positivity..
I cannot say fairer than that.
Reckon we'll see Kirk on the bench ahead of Ghandour at the very least this Saturday
Hopefully start him Saturday but if he needs a bit of time he should be given it.
Not
His situation is well publicised at this point so I’d like to think he’s going to get a lot of slack from the supporters. He’s picked the right club to join at this point in his career and in his life.