Charlton Athletic v Shrewsbury Town
Saturday 11th August 2018 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Craig Hicks (Surrey)
IntroductionFootball is a cruel game… Last Saturday saw Charlton opening their campaign away at Sunderland and almost began in some style – Deservedly leading for much of the game; Charlton legs would finally give out in the 96th minute with the home side managing to secure all three points in what was a 2-1 defeat for the Addicks.
Yet its time to roll out the red carpet (Oops sorry, cant afford it… forget the carpet) – Competitive football returns to the Valley for the first time in 93 days, and it begins against the team who ended our hopes last season… Shrewsbury Town!!
The Opposition
Name: Shrewsbury Town |
Manager: John Askey
Ground: The New Meadow
Of course, everyone knows the story of Shrewsbury’s season last time out so wont bother to bore you with it… Due to fan behaviour in their Play-Off Semi-Finals though you could say that their Wembley defeat to Rotherham was deserved and naturally due to their overachievements, a fire sale has taken place in Shropshire so for our opponents to challenge again this season would be an even more impressive achievement.
For a team built partly built on loanees, losing the likes of Ben Godfrey (less so Carlton Morris) and Jon Nolan was always going to be a tough ask so losing their Manager: Paul Hurst to Ipswich would make it harder – A narrow 1-0 defeat to Bradford on the opening day is always difficult to work out where a side will finish yet mid table should be an achievable target for Salop!!
So who has arrived at the club? – Well John Askey is a Macclesfield Town legend and won promotion last season from the Conference so will know how to get a side challenging, and will most likely set his side up in a 4-3-3- formation on Saturday – Signings have been quietly impressive with Charlie Colkett arriving on loan from Chelsea whilst fans appear to be raving about the free transfer signing of Alex Gilliead from Newcastle who impressed from the bench in their opening game.
Charlton Team NewsI don’t think there is a Charlton fan out there who wasn’t impressed with the players performances against Sunderland last weekend which made their last minute defeat so much worse – Lewis Page got people worried the amount of times he needed treatment so may potentially be a concern, yet in all seriousness the biggest issue on the field is at Centre-Back
During the week Patrick Bauer all but stated that he wanted to leave and could still depart before the window closes this evening whilst Jason Pearce is the big injury worry having been on the end of a nasty challenge last week, a dependable leader, his absence will be sorely missed this Saturday if he fails to regain his fitness
Phillips
Solly | Bauer | Sarr | Page
Marshall | Aribo | Pratley
Lapslie
Taylor | Grant
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer | Maloney | Ajose | Hackett-Fairchild
PredictionThe opening day at the Valley is usually one of the highlights of the season yet with fans continuing to stay away (for understandable reasons) it’ll be sad to see the ground so empty – On the pitch the starting eleven should be able to hold their own yet if Shrewsbury resort to fouling that could greatly diminish our chances.
Comments
Solly | Bauer | Sarr
Marshall | Aribo | Pratley | Page
Lapslie
Taylor | Grant
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer | Maloney | Ajose | Hackett-Fairchild
Wouldn't be surprised if he goes back to 4-4-2 for this though.
Only thing I could tell was the fact that Lapslie was sitting in the gap between Strikers and Midfield
That said, we're probably going to have four players on the bench, only one with any sort of substantive senior experience. Hopefully the likes of Doughty, Blumberg, and Mascoll will be drafted into the squad. They are better than literally nothing.
I think we might knick something, but I think a draw or loss where we concede late on looks more likely at this stage. Our players will tire and they will not be replaced.
If yes perhaps he can come in on loan
I was encouraged with the display at Sunderland .. yes, we might have a few new injuries to cope with but the players will be fitter and we look better up front than last year
CAFC 2 v Shrewsbury Town 0
Good that Ipswich have signed the two players - especially Nolan - but I can’t see us winning this one. The silence on Jason Pearce is ominous and we have nothing on the bench to shore things up when the team starts to tire. I can see it ending in a draw, which at least gets something on the board.
Grant, Marshall (2) and Taylor (2) with the goals. Sarr gives away a pen.
Covered End mocks the Shrewsbury fans with chant of "Bowyer, Bowyer, what's the score?"
1-1
The shrews get hunted.
Grant and Taylor with the goals.
But then injury time will come with its golden (shower? ) kiss