Football League Cup – 2nd Round
Peterborough United v Charlton Athletic
7:45pm Kick-OffIntroductionOnce again the league season takes a brief break as the next round of the League Cup interrupts usual proceeding, and with Wolverhampton Wanderers next in the league, the Addicks have only two more chances to make a good start to their season before the first International break comes into effect… Of course I’m getting ahead of myself, and before we can look to Wolves we must (as the Manager would say) take each game as it comes, standing between Charlton and the 3rd Round of the Cup is League One opposition:
Peterborough United.
The OppositionIn the Championship as recent as 2013; Peterborough were relegated from England’s 2nd Tier the same year that Charlton made their return after a three year exile… Since then Peterborough have never looked like making a return to the Championship and despite ending 2014 in the final Play-Off spot, they couldn’t cap off the season with promotion… Darren Ferguson (Son of Sir Alex) has since left the club and has been replaced by the unknown figure in Dave Robertson.
Last Season: As already mentioned; Peterborough once again parted company with Darren Ferguson and replaced him with the unknown:
Dave Robertson, having never had a career in Football; Robertson was a bit of a surprise appointment for the Posh and in a very tight League One season; 9th was the best that Peterborough could finish.
Pre-Season: You have to look at Peterborough’s friendly results and be impressed… there were four wins including a 6-0 win over Irish side: Cliftonville whilst there was a 3-3 draw against Premier League: West Ham United and a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, defeats would follow against non-league opposition in Grimsby Town (2-1) and Bishops Stortford (4-2) which prove that Pre-Season results should always be taken with a pinch of salt.
This Season: Well it’s not been brilliant so far… Just two wins so far this season with just the one of those coming in the League against nearest rivals: Colchester United… Of course they picked up a 2-0 win against Crawley Town in the First Round of this competition yet three defeats have the Posh languishing in 18th place.
Key PlayerMy player to watch tomorrow night is a player who has probably had one of the saddest Charlton careers to-date…
Ben Alnwick came down to the Valley from East Yorkshire and Barnsley, after an early career which involved spells at Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur; Alnwick was destined for great things, unfortunately, greatness never arrived for the lad from the North East and whilst at Spurs, the countless loan spells insured as has happened for so many youngsters of the North London Academy.
A permanent move came about in South East London in 2013 (after a short spell with Barnsley) and after dislodging the first choice ‘keeper in Ben Hamer, you’d have thought that Alnwick had finally found his home… Sadly due to the takeover by Roland Duchatalet and due to the arrival of Yohann Thuram, Alnwick would become one of the first Addicks out of the door under the new regieme and after joining Leyton Orient it seemed as though the real reasons for his lack of a permanent home would rear its ugly head.
Making just the one appearance in East London, it would transpire that Ben was struggling with unspecified medical problems and would leave Orient shortly after… Ben was a well-liked Addick and thankfully in this story there is a happy ending…. In the summer of 2014, Ben signed a three year deal at current side: Peterborough and having made 41-appearances it seems as though he’s finally found his home.
Possible Line-UpPope
Charles-Cook – Sarr – Diarra – Bergdich
Gudmundsson – Kashi – Cousins – Holmes-Dennis
Ahearne-Grant – Kennedy
Prediction
Peterborough United 1-3 Charlton Athletic
Comments
Gary Sutton from Lincolnshire in charge. 2 games, 7 yellows no reds this season. 34 games last season 91 yellows 5 reds.
Last time in charge of CAFC match at Hillsborough. A 2-0 defeat 22/12/2012.
Pope
Charles-Cook - Bauer - Sarr - Fox
Ceballos - Ba - Cousins - Bergdich
Ahearne-Grant - Makienok
Very similar side to what was against D&R. Holmes-Dennis to come on and play a part. Ceballos and Ba I expect to be fit and play otherwise Gudmundsson will come in for Ceballos.
Going by that team, adding in Henderson, Solly, Diarra, Kashi, Gudmundsson, Jackson, Watt, Vetokele and Reza. As well as a couple of signings, we have an exciting squad.
3-1 Charlton.
Pope
CC, Sarr, Lennon Holmes Dennis
Kennedy, Cousins, Jackson (if fit), Bergdich, Harriott
KAG
Bench to consist of Mitov and those that have recovered the best since the Hull game.
Apologies to those travelling if this is not what you would want to see and for that reason hope I'm wrong but needs must.
Add a wet pitch plus our track record in the League Cup, and I predict our first defeat of the season
Just to let you know - I'm hoping to start the match thread circa 7 pm, however my elderly mother was admitted to Queen Elizabeth hospital Woolwich yesterday after a fall (may be caused by a stroke) and has broken her shoulder, hand and cracked her hip. I'll be visiting this afternoon and hoping to be back in time for 7pm - providing there are no complications. If not perhaps someone else can start and I'll join if and when I can. Many thanks.
The very best wishes to your mother, hope everything turns out ok.
With a mixture of eager u21 players and a few first teamers I expect a comfortable win.
Peterborough haven't had a good start and their fans are quick to get on the back of their team when they are losing.
1-3
If I go it will be a very late decision, if I don't go then I will participate in match thread duties.
there number 10 I know through a friend so did get offered comps for tonight but unfortunately couldn't make it, as was planned on working from home owing to the tube strike.
However, due to the current injury list. I would be loathe to risk too many senior players particularly JBG.
I really hope we don't end up with extra time. Does the match have to finish tonight or is a replay possible?
I wouldn't want a big tie next round, just someone we can beat will do.