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MATCH PREVIEW: Charlton Athletic vs Watford | Saturday 9th August 2025 - 12:30pm KO

ForeverAddickted
ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,319
edited August 5 in General Charlton
Charlton Athletic vs Watford
Saturday 9th August 2025 - 12:30pm Kick-Off
Referee: Stephen Martin

Introduction
When the Addicks step out on to the pitch this coming Saturday, there will have been 76-days since they last kicked the ball in competitive anger... There will have been 1,844 days since we last kicked the ball in anger as a Championship side, yet the five years of hurt are about to come to an end. One of the Managers who relegated us back in 2020, has guided us back to the level that we belong at in 2025.

Buckle up people... This is about to become a very bumpy, but exciting ride over the course of the next 10-months.

The Opposition
Name: Watford - Manger: Paulo Pezzolano
Ground: Vicarage Road
Last Season: 14th

First up, upon our return to the second tier of English Football (God it feels good saying that), is a London(ish) Derby with Watford.

Writing Match Previews at this time of the year is so very easy, given that I've absolutely to work with. Unsurprisingly, Watford come into the new season with a new Manager with Uruguayan: Paulo Pezzolano replacing Tom Cleverly in the summer... the 42-year old has primarily spent his career in South America, but moved to Europe in 2023 where he spent a year managing Real Valladolid in Spain. The fact he's not been in the managerial hot seat since November 2024 may raise some eyebrows, but since when have the Pozzi Family been known to back their Managers?

In terms of their summer and Watford have brought in a few faces that'll be familiar to Charlton with Goalkeeper: Nathan Baxter joining from Bolton, and Midfielder: Hector Kyprianou making the step up from Peterborough... Other names are a mystery to me, although Nestory Irankunda did join the Hornets for £4m from Bayern Munich - Friendlies have resulted in wins over Boreham Wood, and Deportivo La Coruna, whilst they've drawn with AFC Wimbledon, and our recent adversaries; Leyton Orient

The Addicks have been victorious at the Valley over Watford in our last two meetings in SE7, third time is a charm would be nice.

Charlton Team News
We all knew that this was a side that would need to strengthen if we were to stand a chance of survival this coming season. But no one expected what would transpire over the last month or so, what with the incomings that have been announced - It means that we've got the pleasurable experience of attempting to name a starting line-up that no one, bar one man, has a clue over ahead of this Saturday's opener.

However with the prospect of being able to name nine substitutes now that we're in the Championship, it'll certainly give us some depth, and some options from the bench each week now, and for this Saturday I'm going to name... Ibrahim Fullah, as the surprise inclusion in the match day squad, given the way that he's burst his way on the scene this summer.

Kaminski
Ramsay - Jones - Bell
Apter - Coventry - Docherty - Edwards
Carey
Olaofe - Kelman

Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer - Gillesphey - A.Mitchell - Z. Mitchell - Costello - Anderson - Fullah - Campbell - Leaburn
«134567…11

Comments

  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 11,054
    You do know it’s Monday right FA? Very organised 
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,319
    fenaddick said:
    You do know it’s Monday right FA? Very organised 
    Was sitting here bored mate, so thought I'd make a start :D - I know the Mods have previously like the opening Match Preview to be earlier than usual
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,525
    edited August 4
    Bit keen FA, but excellent preview as per...👍
  • Valley11
    Valley11 Posts: 11,986
    edited August 4
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,319
    Valley11 said:
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
    Yeah LCB and the two Strikers that'll be leading the line seem the trickiest to predict.
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,525
    ForeverAddickted said:
    Valley11 said:
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
    Yeah LCB and the two Strikers that'll be leading the line seem the trickiest to predict.
    Got a feeling we will see Bell take over pretty regular at LCB, no reflection on Macca, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes...
  • jamesking93
    jamesking93 Posts: 289
    Valley11 said:
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
    Six!
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,525
    jamesking93 said:
    Valley11 said:
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
    Six!
    'bout right...
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,319
    eastterrace6168 said:
    ForeverAddickted said:
    Valley11 said:
    Harsh on Macca to miss out after a brilliant last campaign but Bell has looked composed in pre season. Tricky one that.
    6 new starters in that team. 
    As Curbs says, don’t be too loyal. 
    Yeah LCB and the two Strikers that'll be leading the line seem the trickiest to predict.
    Got a feeling we will see Bell take over pretty regular at LCB, no reflection on Macca, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes...
    Equally wont be surprised if we see a lot of rotation at times, Bell isn't getting any younger, whilst its worth remembering that Gillesphey's punt up field was one of our main "weapons" last season... Combine that with the fact that players will get tired etc. means I think we'll see plenty of Macca this season.

    Reckon Jones will sensibly assess it opposition by opposition, and use each game to our strengths e.g. there is no point playing two target men, if a Centre-Back against has history of loving a battle, yet is someone who hates facing pace etc.
  • wolfgang
    wolfgang Posts: 386
    Easy work for you this week, FA. That squad and team picks itself. Only possible variations would be Gillesphey and/or Campbell to start, but I think you got it right.
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  • ElfsborgAddick
    ElfsborgAddick Posts: 29,044
    Watford ease to victory and we get an indication of what we are up against.
  • kafka
    kafka Posts: 2,369
    No Knibbs in the squad? Now his non existent injury has been put to bed I would like to think he would feature
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,525
    ElfsborgAddick said:
    Watford ease to victory and we get an indication of what we are up against.
    No chance, I have a Watford maniac for a mate and he say's we'll get off to a better start, reckons Watford are notoriously slow outa the blocks...3-0...
  • eastterrace6168
    eastterrace6168 Posts: 22,525
    edited August 4
    Garrymanilow said:
    I don't want the football to start. We had a lovely December to May ending with a Wembley win and then a genuinely exciting transfer window for the first time since 2011. Can't we just all agree that it's enough, say we stay in the Championship to next season and have a little rest?
    Sounds ideal mate...see ya next season...🙄
  • Southendaddick
    Southendaddick Posts: 5,314
    Would take a point to get on the board, think the early games will be tough whilst NJ gets a settled XI

    Not sure if it’s just because I’m currently in Orlando and got stung but the parking at Asda for Saturday is £15 on just park, proper championship prices 😳 
  • DamoNorthStand
    DamoNorthStand Posts: 10,934
    With 9 subs I think Knibbs may be on the bench ….. with 9 subs it’s fine if one of them only has 10-15 mins in them 
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,319
    edited August 4
    kafka said:
    No Knibbs in the squad? Now his non existent injury has been put to bed I would like to think he would feature
    He's not played a single minute of Pre-Season, I wouldn't be surprised if he was on the bench, but not expecting to see him yet either.

    Maybe in for one of the Mitchell Brothers?
  • Southbank
    Southbank Posts: 5,252
    I am going to say Ahadme ahead of Leaburn, probably for this one only. Leaburn is not match fit.
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  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,929
    edited August 4
    I think that 11 is about right with the question marks others have mentioned being LCB and up top. 

    On the bench I can't see us having 3 CBs on there. NJ likes attacking game changing benches, last year with less subs we almost always had 3 strikers on the bench. One of the Mitchell's to miss out for another striker even if its Kanu or Mbick for this week. Can see Knibbs being on the bench and maybe getting 10 mins if needed as with 9 man bench can afford that luxury.
  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,741
    I’m just hoping Watford underestimate us . If they do then they are in for a surprise. 
    I’m going for a 2-1 Tanto and Carey 
  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,741
    kafka said:
    No Knibbs in the squad? Now his non existent injury has been put to bed I would like to think he would feature
    Could be on the bench but I doubt he’ll feature for long if he does come on . 
  • Blucher
    Blucher Posts: 4,135
    Bell has looked good in the friendlies, although my hunch is that Gillesphey may get the nod. I think that Joe Rankin-Costello would have started alongside Coventry in central midfield, but given the knock he picked up last Tuesday against Ipswich, the Doc will certainly play. 

    It's unusual to have so many players unavailable at this stage - possibly as many as 7 - although hopefully a couple of those will get some minutes against Stevenage next Tuesday.
  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 21,269
    edited August 4
    I think Bell covers more positions so is on the bench first game of the season

    Kaminski
    Ramsay Jones Gillesphey 
    Apter Docherty Coventry Edwards 
    Carey
    Kelman Olaofe 

    AMB, Z.Mitchell, Bell, Rankin-Costello, Anderson, Knibbs, Fullah, Campbell, Leaburn

    Fully expect Ahadme and Kanu to depart, maybe as early as this week

    2-1 to us with Olaofe nabbing a rebound goal and Kelman scoring a late penalty that Abankwah gives away
  • WSS
    WSS Posts: 25,070
    4-0 Charlton
  • JamesSeed
    JamesSeed Posts: 17,380
    Thanks Forever. Here we are again. Last time we returned to the second tier wasn’t Gallagher the eye-opener in the first game? Soon realised we’d have realistic chance of at least staying up with him in the side. Bloody tragic how it ended. 
    Had a feeling Olaofe might be the plan B target man game changer type, like Chuks, but I suppose in the absence of Godden (and with an unfit Leaburn) perhaps he’ll start. But Jones may surprise us if the latter has performed as well in training as he did v Southend. 
  • Taxi_Lad
    Taxi_Lad Posts: 3,768
    Is Leaburn definitely not match fit? He’s done a full preseason and started a few of the Friendlies 
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,628
    We've signed 9 new players & you start with Docherty  & Coventry !! 

    Knibbs to play some part during the 90+ mins, as will Fullah. The starting 11 however will be chosen out of a hat. 

    My prediction.....we will win. 2-1.
  • Braziliance
    Braziliance Posts: 8,359
    edited August 5
    Watford in their last 10 opening days have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 1. Of those ten opening games, 6 of those 10 have been in the Premier league.

    Compared to our record of won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2. Both of those losses coming away to Bury & Sunderland respectively, and of course, 8 of those 10 seasons being in league 1. We haven't lost an opening game at home for over 20 years (if I am not mistaken), which was to Manchester City in the 2003/04 season.

    The positives are, we have a bit of momentum and have a bit of cohesiveness, whereas Watford fall into the same category for me as Stoke & QPR, mid sized clubs who have gotten a bit stale imo, without being rude. 

    I think it's a favourable opener for us. We are up against a bit of a disjointed side with a manager in Paulo Pezzolano that has never managed in the English leagues, without the most impressive CV except a stint at Cruzeiro where he boasted an impressive win rate of 53%, and Real Valladolid where he steered them to a 2nd place finish earning promotion back to La Liga.

    I am going to say Watford will take time to find their feet and I am backing us to come out hot. A packed out optimistic Valley witnesses an opening day win. 

    2 nil Charlton, Apter and Kelman. 


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