The Introduction
He's coming home, he's coming home
He's coming
The Opposition
Yes, he is coming home. One of the best remembered ex-Addicks and one who most divides fan opinion..
Simon Francis is coming back to the Valley.
The right back suffered greatly in his time in SE7 but in a different environment and with a different manager he has thrived. Promoted last year and holding his own in a passing mid-table side Simon would be justified in sticking two fingers up (do people still do that?) to those who will no doubt boo him.
Harry Arter is another former Addick who will want to impress.
Despite their mid-table position and Gabban's 15 goals AFCB have a negative goal difference. They are more likely to win a game 1 - 0 although their recent 5 - 0 thrashing of Doncaster bucks that trend. In that game their recent signing from Leicester City scored a hat-trick but he has been out with an ankle injury since and must be a doubt for this match-up.
The Line Up
So far Riga has made few personnel changes from the previous managers line ups. Dyer was said to have selected the Huddersfield side and there was then only one change at Millwall. Both games finished 0 - 0 so our old weakness in front of goal remains. However, we don't look as vulnerable at the back either.
What is new is the formation. The 4 -2 - 3 - 1 gives us a firm base with the back four protected by two holding and energetic footballers in Poyet and Cousins. It is the 3 and the 1 in front of them that need to click and start creating if we are to turn one point into three.
So far there appears to have been no favouritism shown to the "network" players but none have impressed in their time on the pitch under Jose as of yet.
The Predication
Another draw but a scoring one this time 1 - 1
1
Comments
Francis, Kermorgant, Arter & Church OG.
Yann takes pity on us and scores a 93rd minute own goal out of loyalty and love for his former club or Church scores a 45 yard screamer- which is most unlikely?
Hopefully neither are playing.
Despite this I think we will win 1-0. Bournemouth have nothing to play for and hopefully our squad will have renewed confidence following the Millwall draw (which in Charlton terms counts as a win) and JJ's new deal showing that there may be places in next years squad to be won.
Burnley
Forest
Derby
Leeds
Reading
Millwall won at Derby last week - you'd never have forecast that.
Yeovil drew at Reading, finishing with only 8 men.
Forest are stumbling.
Leeds have been shipping goals for fun.
Of those teams, it's only really Burnley that are performing consistantly right now. We have every chance of a decent points tally.
Hopefully we can get a few loans in before the game so we actually have a chance of scoring
Reza
Obika
Grabban
CAFC 2 v A F C Bournemouth 1