Cambridge United vs Charlton AthleticSssaturday 13th April 2024 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Darren DrysdaleIntroductionCharlton fans, get those party poppers ready, because we're finally getting to the penultimate stages of what has been a season that shouldn't even be consigned to the Charlton History Books... Like the Ark of the Covenant it should be locked in a big wooden box, and stored in the deepest, darkest corners of CharltonLife Towers along with Cory Gibbs (He's got to be somewhere) and Lloyd Jones - This weekend we make the trip to Cambridge, for what is the penultimate away day, in the 2023/24 season.
The OppositionName: Cambridge United | Manager: Garry MonkGround: Abbey SsstadiumPrevious League Result: Blackpool 1-0 Cambridge UtdI guess it could be considered good practice when you're faced with the prospect of relegation, by that I mean if all others attempts to avoid League Two fail, then introducing religion as a factor at Cambridge United might be the next best thing - Unfortunately there were no Reverends, no Priests available at this time of the year, so our opponents had to get a Monk in at the Abbey instead... Yes... Yes I did just lead with that
But on a serious note, it was with some surprise not just to see Neil Harris departing Cambridgeshire, on what has to be the quickest upward trajectory for a sacked League Two Manager - His replacement was Garry Monk, who has surely been taken out of storage somewhere having not been a Football Manager since November 2020... The one time highly rated Swansea Manager now has one simple task... Keep the U's in League One... and he's set about it in mixed fashion, they've won twice (at Barnsley, and against Wigan), whilst have lost three times, including back to back games against Lincoln and Reading, resulting in a combined 10-goals conceded, and none scored.
In terms of the Player front and... wait... Is that a School bell I hear ringing in the background? - Must explain the absence of Striker: Lyle Taylor who has slithered out of an encounter with his old friends this weekend - No bother, there will be a positive Charlton reunion tomorrow, with plenty in the Cambridge ranks; Jordan Cousins should line up against his old Employer, sadly popular Defender: Michael Morrison should be absent with a knee problem - However it is Gassan Ahadme who'll be the dangerman for the opposition, having scored ten times this season, with two of those coming late on to secure a 2-2 draw at the Valley, back in December.
Charlton Team NewsWe're slowly beginning to see which players are being favoured by Nathan Jones ahead of what'll be another rebuilding phase in South East London.
In Defence, we're seeing the likes of Gillesphey and Edmonds-Green rotated, whilst Michael Hector and Terrell Thomas are being given the opportunity to try and earn Contract extensions, elsewhere at the back, and its likely we'll see Kayne Ramsay from the start at Right-Back, what with Tennai Watson struggling with injury during Tuesdays clash with Wigan Athletic - Further up the pitch, and I cant see Karoy Anderson or Daniel Kanu being dropped, given their overall efforts since the change in Management
Tyreece Campbell is another Academy prospect who appears to be showing signs of regaining his old confidence - However he'll no doubt have to deal with a cameo at best, that is unless we see a complete change in approach, with Kazenga LuaLua also opted from the start, with Charlton employing two wingers and a single target man, but that's very unlikely.
Isted
Hector - Thomas - Gillesphey
Ramsay - Dobson - Coventry - Small
Anderson
May - Kanu
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer - Edmonds-Green - Campbell - LuaLua - Bakinson - Aneke - Wickham
Comments
- we won't lose and our unbeaten run extends to one of the longest in history (or something like that) ... probably end 1-1 although I wouldn't be surprised if we sneak a 2-1 win;
- if he gets on the pitch Bonne will be offside at least twice;
- if he's there, Taylor will be a c*** ... and if he's not there he'll still be a c***.
Roll on the end of the season so we can forget about the (big) round-ball game for a few months and I can concentrate on the other round-ball game (where the St Lawrence Ground is the centre of the known universe) and the antipodean oval-ball.
I'd be happy to drop Alfie back to a marauding, free-roaming 10/centre-half-forward, let him drag defenders around the pitch and if they don't want to track him he can cause plenty of damage from outside the box.
However I've mainly put him on the bench as Ramsay doesn't seem quite there yet with his 90-minute match fitness... So wont be surprised if he's held in reserve to replace Kayne at some stage - Nothing to stop him starting though, and moving over there.
Anyhow, that is a pre-cursor to me saying that this last 12-13 games, Reading’s result was poor, but I enjoyed watching Nathan’s nervous energy antics on the side in that first game, have just been so much more enjoyable to watch than any period over the last few years. Yes, a few more wins instead of draws would have been nice, but there looks to be a strong foundation being built and an expectation that giving their all every minute, every game is the least expected. Nathan is real icing on top, his passion is shared by all of us and I think his terms have been clear in the background and are being respected. The summer window and his aim at doing as much business as possible in June will be the proof of the pudding on the control he holds.
As for tomorrow, I am mid-air back to Blighty from Mexico and cannot wait to travel up to the Abbey. A jam packed away end will act as a 12th man and I think our rejuvenated squad will run out 3-1 winners. Hoping each of May, Kanu and Chuks are amongst the goals.
TEAM NEWS
Miles Leaburn (hamstring) remains unavailable for the Addicks.
Ryan Bennett, who was forced off last weekend, is available for the hosts, though Jack Stevens (hamstring), Michael Morrison (knee), Harrison Dunk (knee), Brandon Haunstrup (calf), Saikou Janneh (knee), George Thomas (knee), Glenn McConnell (ankle) and Lyle Taylor (groin) are all sidelined.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/match-preview-cambridge-united-v-charlton-0
Didn't expect to see Charlton again this season but a unexpected family matter had me scrambling home here on Monday.
And so as of Saturday evening I'll of watched only 5 games this last calender year, under 3 different managers, that's just mental. I liked Dean, felt nothing for apples, I'm excited with the potential of our journey with NJ.
Aside from everything else, I'm really looking forward to experiencing the change in energy within the fans. For those of us who live overseas, we watch every video and clip the club release, we watch all your YouTube vids with envy, not being able to feel the passion so clearly on display now, seeing the belief rise again within us under NJ and the way we play the game now.
I'll be full of voice tomorrow, a release of pent up emotion for my team, after a difficult few days.
I can t wait!! COYR'S!!!
Bonne, don't know, but he won't cause us any problems anyway...🙄
I have performed an urinalysis from a fresh personal sample this morning, the Jou Jou looks good. Will be checking the ley lines around the
I don't know, 1-1 ?
season ending
May Kanu
Anderson
Small Dobbo Cov REG
Gillesphey Hec Thomas
Istead
AMB, Jones Ramsay, Bakinson, Campbell, Aneke, Wickham
Hope Cousins and Morro get a decent reception if they play.
Good luck to the boys and all those travelling to Cambridge. Personally, I am off to park View Road tomorrow.
My son and me ordered two each separately and obviously the seats are not together.
They all seem to have seat numbers on but it also says unreserved seating.
Not sure it's sit where you like or in the seat numbers on the tickets.
Anyone know what the situation is?
And our defence is still rubbish.
2-2 and the world record for most draws ever achieved in League 1 is awarded to Charlton Athletic.
It's how I view football. Its partly because I sit in the covered end so that's how the team line up first half but it's also how I view things tactically - the best way to get a view positional and of space on the pitch with me behind our team and the game playing out in front of me.