Charlton Athletic vs Accrington StanleySaturday 11th March 2023 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Darren DrysdaleIntroductionIt feels an age ago now when the Addicks lined up at the Crown Ground to commence a new League One campaign - It was a season which started full of hope, but with little expectation, a 2-2 draw was played out with the Addicks snatching a draw from the jaws of victory, Miles Leaburn the one major positive from a location that has always resulted in drab performances - Charlton host an Accrington side this Saturday with both sides desperate for the three points... For us... Well dont want to be dragged back into the faint possibilities of relegation battle!!
The OppositionName: Accrington Stanley (20th) | Manager: John ColemanGround: Crown GroundPrevious Result: Ipswich Town 3-0 Accrington StanleyThis is Accrington's fourth campaign in League One since their promotion from the fourth tier back in 2017-18, and its been testament to John Coleman that they've never really been in a relegation battle until now. Last season they would even finish a place and two points ahead of a Charlton side who have been lucklustre and disappointing at this level - However finding a constant replacement for the likes of Dion Charles and Colbey Bishop appears to have become too challenging a task for the Lancashire side, the latter scored 15-goals in all competitions last term... Tommy Leigh (signed in 2021 from Bognor Regis Town) their top scorer this term, has just seven goals to his name.
Of course much of Accrington's style on the pitch is all about getting the best out of their squad - As mentioned with Tommy Leigh, they're a team that cant compete with the Ipswich's etc. of the League so have to find their talent elsewhere - Often signings come from Non-League Football, or the options are plentiful with many a Premier League Academy on their doorstep. So we cant ever expect to see Stanley playing a pleasing eye of Football akin to Ben Garner's style (not this coming Saturday anyway) - In terms of form... Well Accrington have lost just the once against Charlton, a last minute Karlan Grant penalty, and come into this game having drawn their last three away from home - Yet our opponents do come into this game without first choice Goalkeeper: Lukas Jensen, the shot stopper was sent off in the dying embers of a 3-0 defeat at Ipswich last Saturday, and will miss this coming fixture, despite Stanley filing an appeal for wrongful dismissal.
Charlton Team NewsThe big question this Saturday is well... Where are the goals coming from?
Our last four games have been against impressive opponents... Derby | Sheff Wed | Peterborough | Plymouth, they all have eyes on a grander prize this season, so our run of form hasnt been too surprising - Yet our weaknesses in front of goal have been highlighted in those games, chances were created, and chances were not taken - Last Saturday saw our issues in front of goal stretch to seven hours (?) - Of course we equally need to stop being so charitable in front of goal, three of our last four goals against have been handed to opponents on a plate, and must stop.
In terms of playing options, and Manny Egbo stepped up his recovery with an U21s display last week, we may have to wait a little longer to see the Right-Back in and amongst the First Team - Elsewhere we saw once again the possibilities of a good partnership between Miles Leaburn and Daniel Kanu at Plymouth last Saturday - It was with those two, that a Striker last scored a goal for the Addicks, coming on Boxing Day against Peterborough, with the two Academy prospects linking well.
Maynard-Brewer
Hector - Inniss - Ness
Clare - Dobson - Kilkenny - Sessegnon
Rak-Sakyi
Kanu - Leaburn
Substitutes Bench: Wollacott - Penney - Morgan - Henry - Payne - Bonne - Blackett-Taylor
Comments
As to the game. Meh
probably a score draw
Stanley will be without their top scorer, Tommy Leigh, and their main man, Sean McConville, through suspension - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64877347
There'll never be a better chance to take 3 points against a side who usually give us trouble and have won on their last two visits. Our team owe us a win and I think they'll manage it on Saturday after a gritty and unedifying 90 odd minutes, embellished with some shithouserry of the highest order.
Morgan can then be the scapegoat for why it ended 1-1, despite getting an assist.
1-0 to The Addicks
Well of course we can, but I think we probably won't
2-0
AMB
Clare Ness Hector Sessegnon
JRS Dobson Fraser CBT
Leaburn Kanu
We need too pose some attacking threat and intent, They will be their usual dirty self and we musnt go a goal down otherwise they will play every trick in the book.
Holden has to get them up for this.
2-1 to Charlton.
I want to see Rak-Sakyi wide in some sort of formation
I really hope we play 2 up top and JRS is on the wing. Why can't something be good for once?
I know... at least I should by now.
Situation excellent, 5-0
when teams go on non scoring run when that breaks it’s normally 4/5 …. say it again 352 not 3421 … start with Leaburn and Kanu or will be brave and go back to basics 442 ???
Reckon I might see more quality from an under 8 match than I will watching Bonne
0-1 to our bogey side
If we score we’re on the pitch
1-1 it is then
We huff and puff for the rest of the 1st half, 17 shots off target, none on.
2nd half we come out all guns blazing…,,
0-1 FT.