Charlton Athletic vs Bolton WanderersSaturday 24th August 2024 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Lee SwabeyIntroductionIn a world dominated by Cameras and Televisions everywhere to go, its impossible to avoid detection these days, even SKY have gotten in on the act, the age of the 3pm kick-off appears to be heading the way of the Dodo bird, and the Dinosaur... Wiped out - Our start to the season has already seen games start at varying times, however this Saturday we get a return to normality with Bolton Wanderers travelling down for the North West, and a more reasonable start time - So far, few could actually complain about how our season has started... two games, six points... pretty straightforward... the goals though, the could maybe happen just a tad more often, and a bit earlier if we're being picky.
The OppositionName: Bolton Wanderers (9th) - Manager: Ian EvattGround: The ToughSheet StadiumPrevious League Result: Bolton 0-0 WrexhamIf there was a turning point to our League campaign last season it was at the once named Reebok Stadium, the Addicks travelled to Bolton with even the most positive of fans questioning whether we'd come away with anything - That day though which included a Charlton debut for Thierry Small, meant we saw a performance not seen in those parts very often, and we were unfortunate not to come away with all three points having led on three occasions in what became a thrilling 3-3 draw. There should be caution though Bolton were without key men; Nathan Baxter and Ricardo Santos that day, with both likely to be involved tomorrow afternoon... Toughsheet to Bolton on that day
Watching Bolton against Wrexham last Sunday afternoon, and yes... They're a team that'll be surely fighting for promotion at the end of the season, and will be looking to take a greater step than what they did last season - However like the Addicks, they've struggled in front of goal this season (they've scored the same amount of League goals as us), and despite their fluid attacking play, against an equally attacking Wrexham, they were unable to take advantage at any point in the game - Its going to be our first real test of the season tomorrow. Yes there have been concerns about our creativity; "What happens when we got a goal down" as that will happen at some stage this season... Equally though you could ask the other question, we've been defensively organised this season, yet with Dion Charles and Aaron Collins amongst the opposition ranks, they will have chances, so its an opportunity to prove that the defence is stronger this time around.
Speaking with a Bolton fan on Sunday, and they're a side that seemingly prefer to face teams that come out and attack them, so we might well see a defensive display akin to the Wigan performance on the opening day - However lets not pretend that we're in 4th on anything but merit, even after just two games... and Bolton should equally be concerned and have the mindset that we'll in the top six ourselves to stay for the entirety of the season - If that is the case, then we cant be afraid of these sides.
Charlton Team NewsThe obvious news to come out of Sparrows Lane this last week is the fact that Josh Edwards' injury isnt as bad as previously feared, and will be out for weeks rather than months, naturally it means that we'll see Thierry Small coming in on the Left with Tayo Edun no doubt acting as back up in that area of the pitch for the time being - At time of writing this, there have been no further signings so we should expect the team to pretty much remain as is from last weeks win over Leyton Orient.
All eyes will no doubt remain on our attacking options, with Gassan Adahme and Tyreece Campbell under pressure to find some form at this early stage of the season - Its unlikely that we'll see either dropped at this early stage of the season, how else can you pick a settled team if you're changing every failed experiment so quickly? - Yet on a personnel level I'd consider starting Matt Godden ahead of Campbell, what with his own experience, and even Daniel Kanu ahead of Gassan Adahme. We've seen Ricardo Santos dealing with our muscular targetmen with ease in previous fixtures, lets see how he does against quicker... more mobile options.
Mannion
A.Mitchell - Jones - Gillesphey
Ramsay - Coventry - Docherty - Small
Berry
Adahme - Godden
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer - Watson - Edun - Z.Mitchell - Aneke - Kanu - Campbell
Comments
Should be a ding dong do tomorrow afternoon
Last time I saw them we got a 3-3 draw at theirs, I reckon we are now 25% better, they are 10/15% worse
Good call up front @ForeverAddickted, otherwise apart from Edwards, no changes (any news on his injury?)
The much admired Santos? .. great when facing the play, as slow as a, turtle when asked to chase back .. calls for a few long balls over their back 3/4 for our front players to run onto
Hard fought win for the Addicks
A lot of the predictions out there have this match as a draw, would be delighted with that result.
Really looking forward to the game COYR
Bolton are undoubtedly a good side but I expect us to win a hard fought game 2 1.
Hms Piss the league is well and truly launched.
1-1 Aneke finally get his goal.
take 0-0 now
We look like a far better team than the one we were last season so I can’t see why there is so much negativity and lack of confidence in the outcome.. 2-0 to the Addicks
3pm kick-offs have not been seen at The Valley for many a long year; they've been replaced by 3:03pm or 3:04pm kick-offs instead.
(Maybe if Big Bad Bustling Bob Bolder shortened his stand-up routine we might be able to get the sponsors out of the lounge a few minutes earlier and therefore ko on time ... ?)
The first time I remember us playing them we lost 5-0 at Burnden.
I think it will be another very tight game and will go for 1-1.
I'd love a 1-0 and am half expecting 0-1.
So who knows maybe it will be a goal feast?
That's one of the beauties of football.
A win would obviously be very nice but I'd happily accept avoiding defeat.
But also remember the 4-1 victory last game of season when we looked like getting relegated
😀🍺⚽️
This is a bring it on and see what happens game for me.
FA, doesn't pick the Charlton team as far as I know 😃
As mentioned above 3 wins and 2 draws for Bolton in their last 5 visits make them our nemesis at the Valley.
A draw tomorrow would be a good result, a win would be excellent and carry on our momentum.
Heart win, head thinks draw.
Got a feeling we are gonna smash them 1-1 though
A win would be a massive signal to the rest of the league.