Charlton v Stoke | Sat 10 Aug | 3pm KO | Match Preview, Predictions, News & Views

How nice is it to stick Cullen back in your predicted line ups for the weekend people!? #UTA 

charente addick said:

letthegoodtimesroll said:

A quick tot up of home seats for sale on the club website comes to just 5,434 left 

18,500 sold?

no there are a few sections that aren't for sale, then you've got the directors box but from what i can tell it does look to be around the 16k mark so what with the Stoke fans and walk ups it will probably be around 20k maybe

Wheresmeticket? said:

At the risk of being branded a wanker I think we will lose.

If that's aimed at my rant Saturday, I apologise, I was watching game and had a couple bevvies. it wasn't aimed at Anyone who though we'd lose as I'd have bitten your arm of for a draw last week and expected the usual defeat at Ewood.

It was the doom and gloom and doom mongers who just nitpick at eveything to do with the club, kit, lack of signings, food, beer, relegation, Bowyer will walk, won't field a bench, 17 yo loanees, ST increase, Wembley ticket fiasco, just goes on and on

Woudlnt have meant it at anyone who thought we'd lose last week or any game.

Apolgiies if it was misinterpreted 

1-1, Taylor last minute equaliser for stoke

ross1 said:

It was planned for the club’s annual handbook to be included alongside tomorrow's programme, but due to a change in printing deadlines beyond the club's control, it has now been delayed until the visit of Brentford on August 24th https://www.cafc.co.uk/news/view/5d4d16373e26b/valley-review-new-season-new-look … #cafc

It's happening

A nice change to be able to talk about a side who play a similar way to us. Since the appointment of Nathan Jones, Stoke City have implemented a 4-4-2 diamond. A system which as we know, allows the full backs to push forward and have an overload in midfield, it is going to be a fascinating battle tomorrow afternoon. Stoke had a poor result last weekend at home to QPR so will be even more keen going into this one tomorrow not to start the season with two defeats on the bounce. In terms of their own transfer window, they brought in 10 new players themselves, all players who are capable of going straight into a Championship side and competing. Solid business from the men who make pottery. Having watched multiple clips of Stoke, a few things have really stood out. Some strengths and some weaknesses, but I will only mention one of each that sticks out the most. When attacking out wide, they will often have at least 3 players, mainly 4, inside the box at the same time. As we know, the more bodies you get into dangerous areas, the more likely you are to score. Our midfield is going to have drop deeper at times to allow us to cope with the amount they push forward. I do expect them to score a lot of goals this season, it is the Nathan Jones way. One of the weaknesses from their side, and the performance last weekend, is that QPR had a lot of joy running at them, they also had a lot of a joy with a diagonal ball out to the right, Stoke's left. James McClean, who is naturally a winger, played at left back - possibly due to his strengths going forward, Jones may see it as a position that he can sacrifice a little defensively. However, it cost them as he found himself to be out of position a number of times, so much so it was just that which allowed QPR to score the opener. This is an area which if Sarr starts, we could really cause problems. Stoke's main danger men would have to be Sam Vokes, new signing Scott Hogan, and Nick Powell sitting just behind. Our three to combat that (two centre backs and defensive midfielder) are going to have to work very hard. But also as Bowyer has mentioned, Mark Duffy, a player we were looking to bring in ourselves, has signed for Stoke. He is surely going to go straight into their squad. Whether he starts remains to be seen, but if he plays, he is certainly a player who can hurt us.

Regarding us, this has got to be the hardest preview I have ever had to write. With so many new faces, especially in midfield, it is a refreshing headache to have but I am bound to get the team wrong. The point many people could make is we won last weekend so you have to reward the players who played and have trained all week. The other is we desperately needed quality and now we have it, we can't not play them. Another headache is who do you start alongside Lockyer? Pearce was absolutely phenomenal last weekend and is our captain. But Sarr brings something different to the team and at home gives us another dimension in attack. It's a tough call, but I think Bowyer will go with our leader and hope that our midfield out-performs Stoke's. Although Bowyer said he will assess how Aneke is, I fully expect him to start with Leko on the bench to get in behind Stoke with 20 minutes to go. I am sure that once Taylor steps out onto the pitch tomorrow and we sing his name, we will see the player who has delivered so much for us over the last 12 months.

I cannot wait to return back to The Valley for the first competitive game since that incredible night in May, celebrating getting to Wembley. I hope that the celebrations continue and we have an atmosphere that after the game, Bowyer can say the place was baaancing.

Fancy to nick a win, 2-0. COYRS!

jdsd42 said:

Cannot see Taylor playing 

Strange comment. The guy is contracted to us. We received a bid in for him & we turned it down. If happens.....a lot. If every player who had a bid turned down was dropped then teams would regularly playing with 9 or 10 men.

Sarr to play, we will score at least 2. I fancy a 2-0 win, Taylor and Pearce.

Leuth said:

Why would we need Pratley for a physical game? What does he bring other than raw height that Kayal, Cullen or Gallagher don't? They're all much quicker than him for a start.

But they’re not as physical.

Actually I have no idea how physical Kayal is so...

But are they as physical?

Of course Sarr will start and we’ll win 3-1 with a new signing scoring, possibly Leko. 

0-2 loss. They still have a quality squad with a ton of good prem/championship experience 

I'm so buzzing for this game ... 

charente addick said:

letthegoodtimesroll said:

A quick tot up of home seats for sale on the club website comes to just 5,434 left 

18,500 sold?

Some areas are not for sale....blacked out sections.