Bolton Wanderers v Charlton Athletic
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee
Jacob Miles - Previously officiated a Charlton game against Crawley at the beginning of December where we lost 2-1.
Introduction
I think it’s fair to say I don’t think anyone saw that performance or result coming, especially after how things have been going the last few weeks and especially as we pride ourselves usually on a good solid base to build from. Everything in South Yorkshire seemed to go wrong and we had no answers for it. The only positives were Leaburn scored again and Godden came on to ensure he stays our top scorer so far this season. Another away trip awaits and after Saturday, hopefully this is an opportunity to put things right. The Addicks travel to Bolton.
Opposition
Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium
Manager: Ian Evatt
Nickname(s): The Trotters
League Position: 9th
Form: DLWLWL
Bolton’s previous result was a 2-2 draw at home to Cambridge United. Their line up was:
Southwood
Jones - Santos - Johnston
Cogley - Morley - Thomason - Schon
Randall
McAtee - Collins
After being so close to promotion last season, including losing the play-off final, Bolton have in general really struggled in the opening half of the season. A 2-0 win for Charlton back in August made it 3 in a row to start the season for us and things seemed extremely positive. Since, we’ve picked up 25 points from 21 games and given ourselves a bit of a job to do to get that play-off place ourselves. Bolton though are a club divided. Fans have turned against manager Ian Evatt and yet the ownership gave him the dreaded vote of confidence recently, and have stuck to their word, thus far. It’ll be interesting to see whether a fast and productive start for Charlton on Tuesday night makes the atmosphere slightly toxic after they were lucky to pull back a draw from 1-0 and 2-1 down against Cambridge at the weekend, thanks to a 90th minute own goal.
Considering they’re underperforming for the squad and level of investment they have, it would be silly to think because of their own troubles it’s going to be an easier game than when we have played them before. They still have Collins up front scoring goals, McAtee is a good player and he scored at the weekend, in midfield they have recalled Morley from Wycombe after his impressive loan spell and at the back everyone always talks about Santos, who came off injured at half time at the weekend. Their spine is strong, especially on paper. It’s out wide I think is where we can really hurt them so will be a big game for TC and Small if we continue with the line up that, barring Saturday, served us so well recently.
Charlton Team News
After the defensive mistakes in the last 2, conceding six in the fashion we have, Nathan Jones may look to make a tweak or two. I would have assumed Ramsay would have been pencilled in to return on Saturday against Shrewsbury, but with the defence being disjointed, and Mitchell playing slightly out of position almost at full back, it might be time to bring Ramsay back in if he can last.
Personally, I think the Small experiment has worked, he’s very good going forward and will only continue to improve his final ball (as we saw against Preston) the more he gets into those positions. I’d try and find a way of getting all of TC, Small, Edwards, Ramsay, Jones, and Mitchell (I don’t rate Gillesphey at all). I guess lots would say to put Small at left wing back and Edwards left centre back, but I think keeping Small on the right and TC on the left would work, instead a 4-2-3-1 formation when we have the ball could be the way forward. Either way, I am interested to see what Jones does now he has options in this area of the pitch.
AMB
Ramsay - Mitchell - Jones - Edwards
Docherty - Coventry
Small - Berry - TC
Leaburn
Mannion, REG, Campbell, Anderson, Aneke, Godden, Kanu
Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Charlton Athletic
TC
Leaburn
Comments
It will be hard to bounce back from yesterday.
Play-off thread gets 200 posts of optimism.
We then lose against Shrewsbury Saturday.
Bolton aren't playing well right now, and apparently was quite toxic on Saturday when they were losing to Cambridge. First goal is really important, if we get it and the crowd get on the team/Evatt's back I fancy us to win. Unfortunately starting games quickly has not been something we've been great at this season.
Ever since Roland bought and sold on the club.
We are no way ready for the Championship.
It's very hard, to keep on supporting this club.
Really like the team you suggest @Sage & I’m hoping we get an away win to reward those who have done the northern hatrick by travelling to Preston, Rotherham & Bolton in the space of 7 days.
0-2 Charlton (Small & Berry)
Should be getting a win based on their current form. They look like us a few weeks back.
Surely that's the very time support must be at it's strongest...🤷♂️
Rotherham got an early lead and their focus was on pressing, winning second balls etc.
Teams playing a possession style has suited us in the past, but now it’s also about how we react after Saturday. Can see Jones mixing it up, but I don’t think we have many options who keep the team equally strong.
https://x.com/CAFCofficial/status/1881291832862114123
I still think we'll be lucky to come away with anything (we got a point in a 3-3 last season)
After Saturday's performance we need to sharpen up, especially in midfield where we are so slow and indecisive, AND (won't happen today lol) we urgently need a reliable keeper.
I'll be happy with a draw
EDIT .. our defence was also chaotic on Saturday. I put this down a lot to Rotherham's excellence as much as our weakness