Middlesbrough v Charlton | Sat 07 Dec | 3pm KO | Match Preview, Predictions, News & Views

Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 7th December 2019 ... 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)

Introduction
For just the third time under Lee Bowyer, we we’ve conceded more than two goals in a league game – Those of us watching on Saturday would witness the effort put in by players who shouldn’t be ready for this level of Football, the injury crisis that refuses to go away has finally started to show within the results and the slide down the table has become a concern – With a takeover all but complete there is finally hope, we travel to the North East this Saturday in eager anticipation of what January could bring!!

The Opposition
Name: Middlesbrough (20th) | Manager: Jonathan Woodgate
Ground: Riverside Stadium

2016 saw the Addicks first suffering under the early ownership of Roland Duchatalet, relegation loomed, yet it was our opponents this weekend who were prospering – Fighting for promotion they would be looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2009 (an target they’d achieve). Yet in front of the SKY cameras it was the Addicks who prospered, a 2-0 victory and as Gaston Ramirez proved, you should always play to the right whistle!!

Middlesbrough would only survive the one season in the Premier League – Proof that even since 2009 the gap between the top flight and Championship has grown, both Garry Monk and Tony Pulis tried to mount another promotion campaign yet the Championship doesn’t care about past achievements and both men failed. So this summer; Steve Gibson decided to turn to local boy Jonathan Woodgate

Well who knows whats gone wrong but fans havent taken to his signings such as our very own Anfernee Dijksteel, and whilst they can call upon the experience of Darren Randolph they just cant score the goals to win them games (lowest number of goals in the Division) – After suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Leeds last weekend; Woodgate claimed that his side too are suffering with injuries, that may be true, and Gibson may be one of the most patient owners in English Football, but the thought of League One football can make just about anyone twitchy!!

Charlton Team News
At some stage it surely has to start getting better – With the amount of injured players there has to come a point when they start returning, thankfully that point appears to be on the horizon

Lee Bowyer post match on Saturday would confirm that Lyle Taylor and Chuks Aneke would travel up to the North East, it’s been a long period out for both players (especially the Montserrat International), whilst it would be nice for one or both to start, it would be unsurprising if both had to take their places on the bench – Jonny Williams was close to being fit for this one yet it looks like he’ll have to wait until Hull City a week later