Blackpool v Charlton | Sat 08 Dec | 3pm KO | Match Preview, Predictions, News & Views

Blackpool v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 8th December 2018 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)

Introduction
After a run of cup games we return this weekend to League action where its here to stay for the rest of the season – Defeat against Doncaster Rovers last Saturday saw the Addicks exiting the FA Cup and so missing a trip to Preston North End in the next round. Lee Bowyer’s decision to rest the first team in that game would cause much anger and debate on CharltonLife yet it is now time for Charlton to prove it was the correct decision.

As we now enter the busiest time of the year – The Christmas fixtures are just weeks away yet the prologue begins this weekend, with trips to Blackpool and Portsmouth over the next few days this could be a time of the year that’ll either put us right into contention for the season ahead or potentially damage it

The Opposition
Name: Blackpool | Manager: Terry McPhillips
Ground: Bloomfield Road

If anything at the moment; Blackpool are one of a number of sides that simply confirm how challenging League One can be – A shaky start to the season saw them picking up just the sole win in the first six games yet the Seasiders would suddenly kick themselves into life, and with fives wins from the last eight games have propelled themselves into Play-Off contention with a 3-0 win required to leapfrog the Addicks on Saturday.

To say its impressive is an understatement, with ownership issues as bad as ours there appears to be a small bond forming between the two clubs (proven by the joint Football League protests earlier this season). Yet when Terry McPhillips took over the reigns (initially as caretaker manager) in August there were certainly a few raised eye brows yet just one defeat in his opening nine games would see him appointed to the managerial position on a permanent basis and the rest as they say, is history!!

In a way though we could find ourselves in an ironic position this Saturday – Charlton were happy to exit the FA Cup yet Blackpool still remain and have a replay against Solihull Moors coming up on Tuesday night, a win would see them hosting Arsenal, and having almost gotten a result at the Emirates (in the League Cup) once this season, our opponents may well have one eye on trying to go one better just at Bloomfield Road in January

Charlton Team News
For those who agreed with Bowyer’s decision last Saturday it would have been a welcomed break for the players – It’s always nice to win late on, yet against Burton Albion, we would commit a robbery to take all three points back to South East London… Lee would admit after that game that certain players were looking leggy and once again the absence of some players to injury appear to be affecting us slightly.

Darren Pratley | Lewis Page | Igor Vetokele | Josh Cullen all remain side-lined for a bit longer so we’ll be left with the usual pool of players to choose from on Saturday (provided there have been no knocks in training) – Billy Clarke and Ben Reeves remain the ultimate question marks though, have they done enough to warrant a place back in the First Team? Well for Clarke it may still be a no but you’d certainly expect to see the latter back at least!!


Prediction
It has been confirmed in the last few days that Lee Bowyer has once again been nominated for Manager of the Month – It’s a sign of the good work he’s doing in the League yet we have to hope that form doesn’t plummet like it did for his last nomination in October… Having picked a weak squad against Doncaster many fans will be happy with no less than four points expected from the next four days!!