Charlton Athletic v Oxford United
Saturday 3rd February 2018 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Keith Stroud
IntroductionLast Saturday the Addicks made the trip up to Blackpool, only for a waterlogged pitch to cancel proceedings. Its means that Charlton have had to endure a frustrating two week period since their last match, and so, potentially interrupt the good form that we’ve been on of late – This Saturday, football will return to the Valley with managerless Oxford United the visitors…
The OppositionName: Oxford United |
Caretaker Manager: Derek Fazackerley
Reverse Fixture: Oxford 1-1 Charlton
Just like Walsall two weeks ago, if there is a reverse fixture which can sum up our season then the trip to Oxford would be right up there – Countless times this season, the Addicks have played a style of football that should be sweeping teams aside, yet our inability to take chances has cost us dearly… Dominating the first 30mins in Oxfordshire, the Addicks took a deserved 1-0 lead yet couldn’t capitalise – Christian Ribeiro scoring from the edge of the box shortly before half-time ensure that the points were shared.
Despite our dominance, Oxford potentially deserved a point on their second half performance and with the U’s in mid-table it’s probably a fair reflection for our opponents – Yet for the Oxford board that wasn’t good enough and on 22 January; Pep Clotet was sacked as Manager.
As you can see the position of Manager still hasn’t been filled, and with Derek Fazackerley taking charge its probably a case of “who” around many Football League grounds… At 66-years of age he’s been around, and holds the league appearance record for Blackburn Rovers having appeared as a centre-back just under 600 times… Having coached at a number of clubs, this is his first step into any form of Management. With no games since the sacking of Clotet, Saturday will be the first opportunity to see what kind of man he is…
Charlton Team NewsThe postponement of our match in Blackpool may disrupt our good form yet if anything its given Karl Robinson an extra week to get players back to full fitness… November and December saw results plummet at one player after another joined the injury table, and with key players now returning, results are unexpectedly improving.
On Wednesday at 11pm the Transfer Window slammed shut, and the fact that Ezri Konsa remained a Charlton player was good news all around – With Jason Pearce still not ready to return, you’d expect Patrick Bauer to line up alongside the England U20 International… Of course, nobody expected any incomings on Wednesday yet with Sullay Kaikai and Michal Zyro joining in the last two weeks, both should be given the opportunity (from the bench at least) to show what they can do.
Most surprising of all was the fact that Nicky Ajose has remained with the club following his return from Bury… the Striker has endured a difficult time in South East London yet appears to have a second chance to show what he can do.
Amos
Solly | Konsa | Bauer | Dasilva
Fosu | Kashi | Aribo | Kaikai
Mavididi | Magennis
Substitutes Bench: Phillips | Dijksteel | Lennon | Forster-Caskey | Reeves | Zyro | Marshall
PredictionWith Oxford playing their first game under Fazackerley it could be a banana skin of a fixture – Charlton though with even more pace and (finally) depth should keep all three points… Its getting tight around the Play-Offs with a number of sides now getting involved, who will keep their nerve… Whose will fail them?
Over to you!!
Comments
For once I've just gone with the squad I'd like to see start, rather than the team that I think will start
Also cant wait to see when Ajose might get on the bench... He'll struggle to get through that lot
4-0 trouncing (BFG, Mag, Fosu x2)......the run in starts here...
If we get it right, and big Derek does not see the caretaker manager bounce, we could smash them?
3-0 to the Addicks
I'd like to see:
Amos
Bauer Pearce
Solly J Silva
Kashi
JFC
Fosu Zyro Mav
Mag
Actually quite hard to pick a front 4, i think Mag should probably start but then see if replacements can get him out of the side.
I've a feeling we'll come out all guns blazing.
Solly Konsa Bauer Dasilva
Kashi Forster-Caskey
Marshall Mavididi Fosu
Magennis
Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Aribo, Reeves, Kaikai, Zyro
Charlton Athletic 3-0 Oxford United
Magennis
Fosu
Kaikai
Solly Konsa Bauer Dasilva
Kashi Forster-Caskey
Kaikai Mavididi Fosu
Magennis
Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Aribo, Reeves, Marshall, Zyro
Zyro for one off the bench for Mag and impress
4-0 Charlton.
Magennis, Fosu, Aribo, Zyro
Solly Konsa Bauer Dasilva
Kashi Aribo
Marshall Mavididi Fosu
Zyro
If Zyro not fit would play Mavididi up top with Kaikai replacing him
Subs: Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Forster-Caskey, Reeves, Kaikai, Magennis
Charlton Athletic 3-1 Oxford United
Zyro
Fosu
Kaikai
Not sure how Zyro and Kaikai are going to work when we're defending, so I'm granting a goal to Oxford.
Really looking forward to the match.
440 mile round trip from yorkshire.
I am going for 4-0. Marshall, Fosu x 2 and Mavididi.
I would expect us to win, though not comfortably. 2-1 or perhaps 3-1 like the Walsall game, with a late goal settling the nerves. No excuse for the players not being fresh, or will the 2 week break mean they've now become rusty and lacking match fitness?