Blackpool vs Charlton AthleticSaturday 1st February 2025 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Thomas ParsonsIntroductionIts a bit sad that we must say goodbye to January, given our form over the last month - Results against Reading and Rotherham werent exactly ideal, but for the most part we've shown that the battle for the Play-Offs is one that'll last right up until the very end of the season, with plenty of twists and turns to go - Our performance against Bristol Rovers, for the most part, showed that Charlton (nor others) should be discounted just yet... Not with the amount of points still on offer!!
The OppositionName: Blackpool (13th) - Manager: Steve BruceGround: Bloomfield RoadPrevious League Result: Lincoln 0-2 BlackpoolUp next for the Addicks, as they continue their Quest of reaching the Play-Offs, is a visit to the Seasiders!!
Lets be honest... Our clash with Blackpool this season, is the one game that'll no doubt make that muscle in your eye twitch more than any other - Yes there have been some defeats this campaign, that fans will long to forget... Crawley visiting the Valley on a cold December night for example. Blackpool on the other hand was the first sign of an early season wobble, and was the first of just two defeats at the Valley under Nathan Jones' leadership... They came, they shithoused... the conquered!!
Judging by the performance that Saturday afternoon, you'd think that Blackpool, under the experienced eye of Steve Bruce would go on to be serious contenders for promotion this year... It was the most frustrating aspect of their performance that day as they played us off the park, and whilst its been a difficult season (on and off the pitch) for Bruce, our opponents this Saturday are a team hitting their own form. However that form (just one defeat since the 16th November) has been soured with just as many draws, as there have been wins (five of each).
Although with two wins in their last two matches, it would be wrong to count the Tangerines out of Play-Off contention just yet.
Charlton Team NewsI'm not sure what the biggest highlight was on Tuesday evening, at least pre-Kick Off I mean... Was it the return of Kayne Ramsay in Defence, who put in a solid display, once again showing off his impressive ability at making last ditch tackles... Or was it the news that Lloyd Jones had committed to another two and a half years at the club?
Either way, the success from our season so far has been built off the ability to keep a clean sheet - Our victory over Bristol Rovers means that we've kept 12 for the campaign, and are well on the way to equalling what we achieved in that regard in 2018/19 (18) and even 2011/12 with (20) - However will we see another settled line up from Tuesday evening, with Ramsay once again slotting in at Centre-Back, or will Jones be a bit more cautious and go with Alex Mitchell, after all his absence in the reverse fixture was met with strong disapproval amongst the Valley faithful.
Maynard-Brewer
A.Mitchell - Jones - Gillesphey
Small - Coventry - Docherty - Edwards
Berry
Godden - T.Campbell
Substitutes Bench: Mannion - Edmonds-Green - Ramsay - Anderson - Aneke - Leaburn - Kanu
Comments
Ironically Reading stopped both our previous attempts this season
- Blackpool are unbeaten across their last four league games against Charlton Athletic (W2 D2) and could go five unbeaten against the Addicks for the first time since April 1977 (eight games).
- Charlton Athletic have won four of their last seven away league games against Blackpool (D1 L2), as many victories as across their prior 25 meetings with the Tangerines on their travels combined since 1930 (D5 L16).
- Blackpool have drawn each of their last five home league games in succession, across their entire EFL history since 1896, the Tangerines have never drawn more home matches in a row.
- Charlton have won three of their last five away league games (D1 L1), as many victories as across their prior 14 matches on the road combined (D5 L6).
https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/30/sky-bet-league-one--post-match-stat-pack/1-1 ( Chuks with an equaliser )
A good win for them at Lincoln albeit against an inconsistent Imps .. they have scored 5 more and conceded 12 more than us .. 4 draws, 2 wins in their last 6, they are the current L1 draw specialists
Should be a good game. Of course I'm hoping for a win, BUT suspect it'll be a low scoring draw
Watch out for midfield dynamo Albie M
HMS Piss The League has docked with the Championship already!
So if we can pass it maybe a good time to start practicing.
The last thing we'd want is to put him out of action for the rest of the season.
Can see a draw but hopefully we make it 4 wins from 4.
I'd imagine Jones will go unchanged as Godden and Ramsay both played well the other night.
Of our remaining games, I've noted this one as probably an acceptable one to take a point and move on. We are capable of beating them, but their absolutely criminal housery at the opposite fixture showed a complete understanding of how we were playing at the time. We are certainly playing a lot better now than when we were. Bruce knows how to set up vs. us and that's a bit of worry.
They have only won 2 at home, but 7 draws and 2 defeats - only Brum and Wrexham have beat them since the start of December. Getting the 3 points against a side that still might want to yet try and last minute sneak into playoff contention would be massive.
A draw is fine, and a defeat, whilst painful, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. We're capable of beating them and, hopefully, recent confidence shines though.
Hope everyone who goes up has a fun trip!
Problem with overhead power cables.
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