Charlton Athletic vs Derby CountySaturday 3rd February 2024 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Ed DuckworthIntroductionBrace yourself... this could be a tough afternoon come 3pm tomorrow afternoon - Much has been made about the fixture list these next few weeks, we enter February with the prospect of facing three teams (Derby twice) all of whom are chasing not the Play-Offs, but automatic promotion - Of course it wouldn't be the first time that Charlton have been a brick wall against this type of opposition, a new Manager could be watching from the stands, and so give our players the needed lift.
6pm may not result in the foregone conclusion that many of us suspect.
The OppositionName: Derby County (4th) | Manager: Paul WarneGround: Pride ParkPrevious League Result: Derby 2-1 CheltenhamOur opponents tomorrow; Derby County are a side who have gone about their season in very sneaky fashion - A bit like Peterborough in some ways, if you hadn't looked at the League Table in some months, you'd be slightly surprised in some regard to see the Rams just a point off 2nd place... Its remarkable really that 2nd - 4th is separated by such a tight margin, but that's the Football League for you.
With Paul Warne though as Manager its not overly surprising to see Derby looking to return to the Championship after a two year exile - Warne took over in September 2022, joining from Rotherham where he'd had three successful promotions from this level... With the focus on Managers this weekend, is there anyone better at getting a side promoted from League One? - Their form in recent months means its going to be a tough, yet will be an admirable achievement if the Addicks can keep all three points in SE7 - Derby do travel to London in form, with just two defeats, and two draws since mid-October, however defeat at Reading two weeks ago, does show they're not some invincible side to be scared of... after all they've only kept a single clean sheet since Boxing Day!!
In terms of individuals... Well we all know the obvious dangerman will come from the flanks... Nathaniel Méndez-Laing has 13-assists, and seven goals to his name this term so will be one to watch out for - Warne usually opts for a 4-4-1-1 formation, with James Collins the lone Striker (he has 13-goals)... Stop those two and their next best threat comes from ex-Addick, and is someone all eyes will be on tomorrow... Martyn Waghorn... The one time Charlton loanee has six goals this season, however will miss this match with a Calf Injury... Stop Mendez-Laing and Collins, well we might have a chance
Don't think I've missed anyone have I?
Charlton Team NewsDeadline Day saw Kayne Ramsay joining from Harrogate Town, with another Defender in the building that should help us address our leaky defence, and will ideally be a player right up our Street - Having only signed yesterday though, its possible he'll miss out, however with the pace of Derby's wide men, it may equally be wise to throw him straight in at the deep end, else the opposition will no doubt have a field day against Tennai Watson.
Tayo Edun will be back from suspension, which could see changes amongst the Charlton team from what we saw up at Blackpool, however a defensive approach would be understandable.
Should the wide players for Derby fail to track back, there could be an opportunity to exploit space presented to us.
Maynard-Brewer
Edmonds-Green - Gillesphey - Thomas
Ramsay - Dobson - Coventry - Edun
Bakinson
May - Ladapo
Substitutes Bench: Isted - T.Watson - Jones - Fiorini - L.Watson - Kanu - T.Campbell
Comments
The defensive approach s the only one we have under Fleming IMO. Pack the middle and defence, and hope for some magic from the front two...
I just can't see us getting a result, sadly, I'm going 2-1 Derby... Hope I'm wrong!
COYA!
2-4
Interim Head Coach Curtis Fleming is hopeful that Macaulay Gillesphey (hamstring) and Conor Coventry (concussion) can feature this weekend, while Tayo Edun is available again having served his one-match suspension.
Michael Hector (hamstring) Chuks Aneke (hamstring) and Miles Leaburn (hamstring) remain sidelined.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/match-preview-charlton-v-derby-county-0
I really liked Fleming's presser. Shame he has little chance of staying.
Agree with the rest of the team assuming Gillesphey and Coventry are fit. That midfield lacks creativity though. Maybe we try to keep it tight for an hour then make changes, but we were lucky to still be only 1-0 down last weekend after 60 minutes.
COME ON YOU ADDICKS
The lack of an obvious 10 might be an issue.
REG, Thomas , Gillesphey
Ramsay, Dobson, Coventry, Edun
May
Kanu, Ladapo.
We do not need 3 non three non creative midfielders in this system - add a striker.
CAFC 1-2 Derby