The introduction
There is no doubt that there will be a different perspective on this game for the national media than for most Charlton fans.
The press will be closely scrutinising the behaviour of the home fans following the assault (for which the assailant has now been jailed for 4 months) at the Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds game last Friday.
That some Leeds fans thought running on the pitch from the away end at Hillsborough was OK still beggars belief especially when you remember why the Leppings Lane end no longer has any fences.
Some of the Leeds chants also drew criticism and we don't mean "Champions of Europe". No one has ever made unsubstantiated claims against our manager as is the case with Dave Jones but that has never stopped certain fans in the past. Regardless of the result the news story will be what the Leeds fans do and say. Get used to it Charlton fans, to the red tops, broadsheets and the TV/radio we are just there to make up the numbers.
But from our perspective this is another important game. Our away form has stood up well despite going two months without a home win. Wins at Ipswich and Blackpool both proved false dawns however.
The Opposition
Leeds' season has not gone quite to plan. Expected to be challenging and with a manager in Neil Warnock who knows how to get team up from this tier the Whites were expected, by their own fans and many pundits, to be sitting higher than 9th.
A middle -eastern takeover that would have finally seen the departure of the unloved Ken Bates appears to have stalled. Meanwhile some key players were sold in the summer.
They have been strong at home losing one and drawing one of their five games at Elland Rd but often these games have come by narrow margins. The Peacocks needed a disputed penalty to beat Barnsley last time out at home.
Becchio is their main goal threat with 9 strikes already. They also have former Addick Luke Varney and former trialist Ryan Hall although both are likely to start on the bench. Expect the usual big, bruising but well organised Colin side.
The line up.
The lack of substantial injuries was a major factor in last season's success. Only Dale Stephens was missing for a long period. Already this term we have lost Wiggins, Kermorgant and Taylor and Ricardo Fuller joins that list. The big striker will be out for "several weeks" which cynics will read as "months and months". Things are so bad in the striking dept. that a suggestion to Chris Powell that Leon Clarke might be recalled wasn't dismissed out of hand.
With the players he has left Chris also has to re-find the balance that has brought that precious pair of away wins.
CP was quick to switch to 4 - 4- 2 for the second half v Barnsley but with a negative consequence so 4-5-1, which worked so well v Blackpool would seem to be the order of the day.
Ex- Leeds forward Rob Hulse seems the obvious choice of lone striker if we are to stick to 4 - 5 - 1 although he is quite a different player to Fuller. The little and large combination of Hulse and BWP is still an option.
Abdul Razak's role of man marking Barnsley's playmaker Perkins succeeded in neutralising the blonde midget in the first half but also took the young Man City loanee out of our game. Razak was billed as a defensive midfielder when he came so CP may risk playing him deeper but that means moving Hollands and/or Stephens. Jackson could also play in the middle or wide to replace Kerker. Or the French-Algerian could be moved into the attacking midfield role that we at Preview Towers believe better suits him.
On the right Chris might stick with Danny Green despite his stinker on Saturday or push the more impressive Wilson forward. But to do that Evina would have to return to allow Solly to shift across. For whatever reason Powell doesn't appear to like this option but Wilson in the middle would give us more steel.
The prediction
Endless headlines about Leeds fans and chants that will ignore the small band of travelling Addicks happy enough with a 0 - 0 draw.
Hamer
Solly Cort Morrison Evina
Wilson Stephens Razak Jackson
Kerker
Hulse
0
Comments
Solly Cort Morrison Evina
Wilson Stephens Razak Jackson
Wright Phillips
Hulse
Warnock is an expert at galvanising teams, imparting a backs to the wall attitude: no one likes us .. do we give a hoot !!?? (that 's really for the Owls)
As I predicted for the Blackpool game, I can't see ANYthing but a home win and a good few bruises for our players: I'll be there, fog permitting.
Leeds United 2 v CAFC 0. Time for changes: Hamer Solly Morrison Cort Dervite .. Wilson Stephens Pritchard Razak .. Wright-Phillips Hulse. There is no point going for a draw, attack attack attack attack attack .. but I fear not.
that said, we'll probably go and get 4 points now
2-0 to the millwall of the north
I'll go with 0-0 though
D-L-L-L-L-L-L-D-L-L-W-L-W-L-L-D-W-D-L-L-D-L-W-D-D-L-D-D-L-D-L-L-L-D
However they are playing Charlton so 1-0 victory to Leeds.
No Charlton fan will run on the pitch to attack the Leeds Goalkeeper.
An away game, where the world's eyes will be on the home team (and supporters) is setup for the classic gritty Charlton away performance. Please.
Last time I deserted the boys away from home we won 2-0 so why should this one be any different ?
A gutsy, storming performance is what the travelling fans deserve and I think we'll come up trumps.
COYA !!!!!!
I'll take a point now.