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MATCH PREVIEW: Charlton Athletic vs Watford | Saturday 9th August 2025 - 12:30pm KO
Comments
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1-3 Watford and down to earth with a bump.
think it’ll take 4-6 weeks for us to really gel as a team in this division.6 -
I have basically written the bloke off tbh but his performance at the weekend (I don’t mean the goals) showed a glimpse of a player his link up play was very goodCafcWest said:
Yes he was, but he only played in the first half of the season when the (mostly long ball) style didn't suit him and Nathan was just establishing his "style" and identifying his best 11. Second half of the season he didn't get a look in - for whatever reason we don't know - rumours of long term injury/illness. None of us are convinced he is the solution or can step up in the Championship - but I wouldn't write him off yet - and, as others have said, we might have no alternative but to play him.EveshamAddick said:
Gas was terrible last season in League 1 - it’s amazing what 2 goals against non league can do to people’s memories! If we need Gas this season, something will have gone very wrong!Chunes said:
Ahadme isn't match fit either. He's only played 45 mins this pre-season.Southbank said:I am going to say Ahadme ahead of Leaburn, probably for this one only. Leaburn is not match fit.3 -
We didn’t exactly become 1970s Brazil in the second half of the season .CafcWest said:
Yes he was, but he only played in the first half of the season when the (mostly long ball) style didn't suit him and Nathan was just establishing his "style" and identifying his best 11. Second half of the season he didn't get a look in - for whatever reason we don't know - rumours of long term injury/illness. None of us are convinced he is the solution or can step up in the Championship - but I wouldn't write him off yet - and, as others have said, we might have no alternative but to play him.EveshamAddick said:
Gas was terrible last season in League 1 - it’s amazing what 2 goals against non league can do to people’s memories! If we need Gas this season, something will have gone very wrong!Chunes said:
Ahadme isn't match fit either. He's only played 45 mins this pre-season.Southbank said:I am going to say Ahadme ahead of Leaburn, probably for this one only. Leaburn is not match fit.4 -
Watford are a decent well established Championship side with good players. They have a new manager and are probably missing their best player. We are new boys with a lot of new players. There is no form guide. I’ll guess that they’ll know that our crowd and players will come out of the blocks so will bide their time and ride the storm. Steep learning curve for us and it’ll be tough. Momentum and graft will earn us a 1 - 14
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No, but we were much better. If you looked back over the old match threads you'd see a lot of criticism for TC, a lot directed at Godden with plenty of Alfie May mentions, Docherty, Coventry, Berry, Gillesphey, Mannion, the majority of the players who started at Wembley massively improved with the shape change, it's not crazy to think he would have been better in the new setup. Ultimately though even if he'd improved I doubt he would have turned into a top L1 striker, so he's definitely not going to turn into a good Championship one overnight.wmcf123 said:
We didn’t exactly become 1970s Brazil in the second half of the season .CafcWest said:
Yes he was, but he only played in the first half of the season when the (mostly long ball) style didn't suit him and Nathan was just establishing his "style" and identifying his best 11. Second half of the season he didn't get a look in - for whatever reason we don't know - rumours of long term injury/illness. None of us are convinced he is the solution or can step up in the Championship - but I wouldn't write him off yet - and, as others have said, we might have no alternative but to play him.EveshamAddick said:
Gas was terrible last season in League 1 - it’s amazing what 2 goals against non league can do to people’s memories! If we need Gas this season, something will have gone very wrong!Chunes said:
Ahadme isn't match fit either. He's only played 45 mins this pre-season.Southbank said:I am going to say Ahadme ahead of Leaburn, probably for this one only. Leaburn is not match fit.5 -
As SHG above.
There is no form guide and just speculation on the various team selection with players fit.
I predict both teams will use 16 players during the match and there will be some tired bodies in the sun.
5 outfield players will have to put in a 100 minute shift over the duration so good luck with that after 76 days since a competitive match for CAFC.1 -
Was pretty pessimistic about our chances this season but now it’s just four sleeps away I’m getting very excited!
Accordingly, I’ll predict a 2-0 victory.
Wish it wasn’t a 12:30 kick off, that’s a bit of a bummer.3 -
Yes but NJ would rather use Academy players in the second half of the season than bring on Gas. He'd seen enough, we'd all seen enough. I'll trust NJ's opinion.CafcWest said:
Yes he was, but he only played in the first half of the season when the (mostly long ball) style didn't suit him and Nathan was just establishing his "style" and identifying his best 11. Second half of the season he didn't get a look in - for whatever reason we don't know - rumours of long term injury/illness. None of us are convinced he is the solution or can step up in the Championship - but I wouldn't write him off yet - and, as others have said, we might have no alternative but to play him.EveshamAddick said:
Gas was terrible last season in League 1 - it’s amazing what 2 goals against non league can do to people’s memories! If we need Gas this season, something will have gone very wrong!Chunes said:
Ahadme isn't match fit either. He's only played 45 mins this pre-season.Southbank said:I am going to say Ahadme ahead of Leaburn, probably for this one only. Leaburn is not match fit.3 -
Honestly have no idea what to expect either from us or Watford. A result would be great, but hopeful of seeing a good performance. It's good to be back!0
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OK I maybe a bit of a romantic but Gillesphey starts for me. His form in the last part of the season merits that.
His shirt to wear until such times as his form means its time for a change.6 - Sponsored links:
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Less than 65 tickets remain in the Covered End Lower for Saturday’s fixture against Watford as The Valley heads for its highest attendance for a home opener in at least 17 years.
Limited tickets are left in the Covered End Upper and with tickets selling quickly, supporters are advised to get their ticket now.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/limited-tickets-remain-covered-end-season-opener
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For some reason I thought Watford were a club that's had relegation fights in Championship recently, but actually they've finished 11th, 15th, and 14th since being relegated from Premier League.1
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I think it should depend on who we are playing against for him vs Bell.Fortune 82nd Minute said:OK I maybe a bit of a romantic but Gillesphey starts for me. His form in the last part of the season merits that.
His shirt to wear until such times as his form means its time for a change.If we play a team that is more direct/physical or have a big man up top then Gillesphey is much better in the air than Bell. If like on Saturday we are up against pacy tricky players (they play with Baah on the right who is very quick and skilful) then I think Bell should start1 -
I think Jones will set up first and foremost not to lose. Of course a win would be brilliant but avoiding a defeat will be the priority. Don’t think us or the game will be expansive and I’m pretty sure we’ll need to score to get anything.4
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A very good preview. I’m a bit loathed to make a prediction as I think our pre season form has been a bit patchy. But cometh the hour, we’ll be ready. If we create chances we need to take them. Thankfully we now have a natural born finisher within our midst so fingers crossed for a good performance and a win 🤞2
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If we bring romance into it we’ll be relegated. We need to be ruthless, Jones said as much in the pitch moments after winning the playoffs.Fortune 82nd Minute said:OK I maybe a bit of a romantic but Gillesphey starts for me. His form in the last part of the season merits that.
His shirt to wear until such times as his form means its time for a change.Whomever is the best player for the match should be selected, it doesn’t matter what they accomplished last season.3 -
I think we are going to give it a good go but come up short. 2-1 Watford. This team needs time to gel but I can see us being comfortably mid-table after 10 games.0
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This feels like a 0-0 draw to me0
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I reckon Charlton 3-2 Watford, after us going 2-0 down within 10 minutes; a stunned Valley being welcomed back to the Championship—before we turn it on, the crowd get going again and we show Watford that we're back and here to stay.3
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Yes, that is why it is a good benchmark. Teams like Watford we will need results against in order to survive.stoneroses19 said:For some reason I thought Watford were a club that's had relegation fights in Championship recently, but actually they've finished 11th, 15th, and 14th since being relegated from Premier League.3 - Sponsored links:
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2-1 Charlton. Kelman with a brace.
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Agree... Also think though that having a decent home record in general will be so important in order to survive... Can't expect to go away from the Valley and pick up many points if any other than at Fratton ParkSouthbank said:
Yes, that is why it is a good benchmark. Teams like Watford we will need results against in order to survive.stoneroses19 said:For some reason I thought Watford were a club that's had relegation fights in Championship recently, but actually they've finished 11th, 15th, and 14th since being relegated from Premier League.1 -
Really excited for this one. Hopefully the atmosphere matches the occasion.As for the game, I can’t see Nathan Jones changing his style now that we’ve gone up a division. That means I’m going for a cagey 1-1 (which would be a good start).Hoping to see us really throttle them with the press. I think we’ll be very effective at home again this year as teams will have to bring the game to us. When a very good Birmingham side tried that at The Valley last year, it didn’t end too badly.
Bring on Saturday.2 -
I'm too confident, that never bodes well...3
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I'm hugely nervous at the moment. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle?Pelling1993 said:I'm too confident, that never bodes well...3 -
I guess it’s a must win game then!!ForeverAddickted said:
Agree... Also think though that having a decent home record in general will be so important in order to survive... Can't expect to go away from the Valley and pick up many points if any other than at Fratton ParkSouthbank said:
Yes, that is why it is a good benchmark. Teams like Watford we will need results against in order to survive.stoneroses19 said:For some reason I thought Watford were a club that's had relegation fights in Championship recently, but actually they've finished 11th, 15th, and 14th since being relegated from Premier League.0 -
I am not confident, or nervous. I am just excited to not be kicking off another season in the third division.TheHerminator said:
I'm hugely nervous at the moment. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle?Pelling1993 said:I'm too confident, that never bodes well...
No single result will define this season. We will win some games and lose others.
I want us to do well of course but fully expect us to lose up to 20 games across the season. As long as we win ~15 across the season as well, we should be in good shape.
My prediction is a 1-1 draw.9 -
I'd shake on a point!TheHerminator said:
I'm hugely nervous at the moment. Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle?Pelling1993 said:I'm too confident, that never bodes well...0 -
FA, brave team selection, close very close but I think Knibbs on the bench for one of the Mitchell's . As for the game, Nathan Jones will want his back three tight and will not over commit going forward, but he has more fire power now so will hope that with that uplift, a win can be earned, one nil to Charlton in my opinion.0
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mine was 19Southendaddick said: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 😳0
