Introduction
Over the past six games, Charlton sit top of the form guide for away performances. Three wins and three draws, combined with the best defence on the road (0.9 goals conceded per game) has seen Charlton rise into the top half of the Championship table. The Addicks will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to eight games against recently relegated Bolton Wanderers who are not firing on as many cylinders as they would've hoped considering only four players left from their once Premier League squad. A win could realistically see Chris Powell’s men move up to eighth place and in a strong position to push on through the busy Christmas period.
The Team
Chris Powell’s declaration that he is planning to use his squad makes predicting the starting line-up against Bolton very difficult. Last time out, against Brighton, the team set up to nullify the passing approach of Gus Poyet’s men and it worked to an extent but had some negative effects. Danny Haynes on his return from injury was quiet after being stuck out on the right wing and could move back up top alongside Rob Hulse should we decide on a two-pronged attack.
Last Saturday also saw Lawrie Wilson return at right back and put in a man of the match performance. Chris Solly played left back as Dan Seabourne was ill but I’d expect him to return to the fold come Saturday and that leaves Powell with a decision. Solly will certainly return to his natural position on the right but will Wilson line-up in front of him or does he stick with Pritchard? It’s going to be a close call. Frimpong and Stephens played well in the centre against Brighton but having both Jackson and Seabourne on the left would leave us woefully pedestrian-paced down one flank.
So hard to call this week.
Here’s Preview Towers predicted lineup: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Seabourne; Wilson, Pritchard, Frimpong, Stephens, Jackson; Hulse.
The Opposition
Bolton are without a win at home in the last three games and are sitting in 18th place in the league and will be hoping to kick start their season. Bolton have not lost to Charlton since 2002 when goals from Jason Euell and Chris Bart-Williams secured a 2-1 victory so the natives will be optimistic. The top performers for the Trotters this season have been the talismanic Kevin Davies and midfielder Chris Eagles who have shared 12 goals between them, but the team is spattered with recognisable names from the fringes of decent teams of the past. The likes of Stephen Warnock, David Ngog and Jay Spearing are all decent players, obviously not playing very well.
Prediction
Tough, tough game and despite the excellent away record for Charlton this season I’m finding it very difficult to see us getting anything from it. Minor setback. 1-0.
Come on you reds!
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Comments
Charlton win 2-0
Solly & Wilson on the right
Seaborne & Kerkar/JJ on the left
Steph & Frim in the middle
2 Hs up front with Richado on the bench
no probs 0-2 win
fancy we might nick it 1-0
Upshot is a storming 2 - 0 win over Lennie and Dougie
Dougie may live to regret his decision...
--------------HAMER----------------
SOLLY ----CORT----MORRO-----SEABOURNE
WILSON ----STEPHENS---JACKSON----KERKAR
-------HAYNES ------KERMY------------
bench = button, devrite, frimpong, pritch, green, hulse, bwp