Weirdly I can see us winning this and the fan base not knowing how to react. What can be guaranteed is a very empty Valley, a quiet atmosphere apart from anti Appleton chants and then everyone reading too much into how Dobson claps the fans at the end and jumping to conclusions about him going to Hungary/staying/taking over the managers job or something ridiculous
I never like to see Charlton lose and, despite the fact that if we did lose it would herald the end of MA, we need the bloody 3 points. Our next run of games are difficult and I can't see where we might get any points, that, I think will be the demise of MA without doubt. So take the 3 points tonight, MA will be gone after defeats by Blackpool and Derby!
In this bizarre season it actually wouldn’t surprise me if we came out tonight, played a blinder and won comfortably. It’s debatable whether that would cause more problems than it would solve. Equally I wouldn’t be surprised with a capitulation and much gnashing of teeth. The latter might be a more effective driver of the inevitable change than the former albeit one that pushes us closer for the trap door and would do little for our confidence in our new recruits. Can’t call it. One way or the other I suspect it will be a difficult night for Appleton and Rodwell. .
2-2 written all over this ‘and now, the end is near…’
Apples does a cameo acting role, giving one of our players a thumbs up at some point in the second half while his wave to the crowd at the end we gleefully interpret as a goodbye (and fcuk off), while he is actually gesturing to connect with the fans. 🤨
Our PA has a sense of humour with Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ playing pre-game, half time and at the end of the game. Please do play this track if you are on PA tonight, will be an evening highlight.
I wonder how much sideways ↔️ sideways ↔️ sideways ➡️ back to keeper ↩️ roll out to defender ↔️ sideways ↔️ sideways ➡️ back to keeper ↩️ lose possession, there will be this evening 🤔
Charlton Athletic vs Northampton Town Tuesday 23rd February 2024 - 7:45pm Kick-Off Referee: Paul Howard
Charlton Team News
Michael Appleton has some big decisions to make about tonight's line-up. The club has tried to strengthen the shaky defence in the window bringing in Macaulay Gillesphey and Rarmani Edmonds-Green, so far. The former is likely to start after a solid 20 minute cameo against Burton, with Jones likely to be the man to make way after being partially responsible for Burton's first goal, and being in the vicinity of the second. Thomas had his second very good performance in a row, and would be very unlucky to miss out. Ness was solid-ish, but might well make way if Appleton saw enough in training (assuming he was there) to risk giving Edmonds-Green (REG) a debut. Tenai Watson has struggled recently, and you'd thing it's time to give the more athletic Nathan Asiimwe another chance. Isted may come in for AMB. The key question remaining is the line up in midfield. Will he stick with Dobson, Coventry and Bakinson (leaving Watson on the bench), or will he he use the more attacking minded Louie Watson in place of Dobson, who may or not be leaving? As we're at home I think he might go with Watson. Fiorelli doesn't look ready for a start at this stage. Whatever happens, let's hope Appleton doesn't wait too long to make changes if things aren't working out.
Isted Edmonds-Green - Thomas- Gillesphey
Asiimwe - L Watson - Coventry - Bakinson - Edun May - Ladapo
Substitutes : Maynard-Brewer - T Watson - Jones - Fiorini - T.Campbell - Dobson - Kanu
Prediction: What the hell, 2-1
UPDATE: Asiimwe is playing for the U21s today, so presumably Tenai Watson keeps his place in the starting line-up, unless REG replaces him and Jones or Ness remains at centre back.
You can't have Edmonds and Green as part of a back four because that's 12 on the pitch in total
Somethings got to change tonight and drastically for Apples to warrant staying, Ideally a clean sheet as well as a real statement, when did we last have one of those?
Completely change the back 4 or 3! Personally the only defender who would get into it from previous is T.Thomas. Let the new lads show what they can do.
2-2 written all over this ‘and now, the end is near…’
Apples does a cameo acting role, giving one of our players a thumbs up at some point in the second half while his wave to the crowd at the end we gleefully interpret as a goodbye (and fcuk off), while he is actually gesturing to connect with the fans. 🤨
Our PA has a sense of humour with Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ playing pre-game, half time and at the end of the game. Please do play this track if you are on PA tonight, will be an evening highlight.
I've asked him to play "Go Now" by the Moody Blues.
Charlton Athletic vs Northampton Town Tuesday 23rd February 2024 - 7:45pm Kick-Off Referee: Paul Howard
Charlton Team News
Michael Appleton has some big decisions to make about tonight's line-up. The club has tried to strengthen the shaky defence in the window bringing in Macaulay Gillesphey and Rarmani Edmonds-Green, so far. The former is likely to start after a solid 20 minute cameo against Burton, with Jones likely to be the man to make way after being partially responsible for Burton's first goal, and being in the vicinity of the second. Thomas had his second very good performance in a row, and would be very unlucky to miss out. Ness was solid-ish, but might well make way if Appleton saw enough in training (assuming he was there) to risk giving Edmonds-Green (REG) a debut. Tenai Watson has struggled recently, and you'd thing it's time to give the more athletic Nathan Asiimwe another chance. Isted may come in for AMB. The key question remaining is the line up in midfield. Will he stick with Dobson, Coventry and Bakinson (leaving Watson on the bench), or will he he use the more attacking minded Louie Watson in place of Dobson, who may or not be leaving? As we're at home I think he might go with Watson. Fiorelli doesn't look ready for a start at this stage. Whatever happens, let's hope Appleton doesn't wait too long to make changes if things aren't working out.
Isted Edmonds-Green - Thomas- Gillesphey
Asiimwe - L Watson - Coventry - Bakinson - Edun May - Ladapo
Substitutes : Maynard-Brewer - T Watson - Jones - Fiorini - T.Campbell - Dobson - Kanu
Prediction: What the hell, 2-1
UPDATE: Asiimwe is playing for the U21s today, so presumably Tenai Watson keeps his place in the starting line-up, unless REG replaces him and Jones or Ness remains at centre back.
You can't have Edmonds and Green as part of a back four because that's 12 on the pitch in total
‘ Successive top ten finishes, but an undercurrent amongst the fans that the then manager – former Albion midfielder Alan Curbishley – wasn’t the right man for the job.
They eventually forced him out, replacing him with such football ‘visionaries’ as Alan Pardew and Iain Dowie, got relegated twice, and still almost 20 years later languish in League One. Amex ‘Moaners,’ be careful what you wish for!
Well never thought I would see this day,but I just cannot endure the journey from medway and back tonight,with another appalling,lack lustre performance and the usual non speaking tension ridden journey home with the wife. Hope all you die hards get a decent performance for a change.
Well never thought I would see this day,but I just cannot endure the journey from medway and back tonight,with another appalling,lack lustre performance and the usual non speaking tension ridden journey home with the wife. Hope all you die hards get a decent performance for a change.
You lasted 10 years longer than me mate, bless yer and keep warm!
Comments
So take the 3 points tonight, MA will be gone after defeats by Blackpool and Derby!
One thing is for sure, the players know that if we lose he's surely gone, so we'll see how much they actually care about MA.
No love for Apples but need the team to win tonight. Id rather he went but much rather we werent close to being relegated.
2-1 us but scrappy and maybe even undeserving.
Completely change the back 4 or 3! Personally the only defender who would get into it from previous is T.Thomas. Let the new lads show what they can do.
Now we are just a cautionary tale...
They eventually forced him out, replacing him with such football ‘visionaries’ as Alan Pardew and Iain Dowie, got relegated twice, and still almost 20 years later languish in League One. Amex ‘Moaners,’ be careful what you wish for!
The old ‘fans got rid of Curbs’ nonsense again.
Hope all you die hards get a decent performance for a change.
Thomas and Ness out, Gillesphey and REG in.
Charlton: Maynard-Brewer; Edmonds-Green, Jones, Gillesphey; T.Watson, Coventry, Dobson (c), Bakinson, Edun; May, Ladapo
Subs: Isted, Ness, Thomas, L.Watson, Fiorini, Campbell, Kanu
Cool!
Jones hasn’t been up to his usual standard in recent weeks but his performances earlier in the season are probably deserving of him getting the nod.
I would have put Asiimwee in at RWB but I understand why Appleton has gone with experience (rather than kids) when his job is on the line.