Southend United v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 1st September 2018 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: Brett Huxtable (Devon)
IntroductionCreativity appears to be one of the key words this season… From the opening month of the season its clear that Charlton can compete at this level and should never be at threat of relegation come next May, yet what is clear is the fact that more chances need to be created and taken.
Last Saturday saw the Addicks entertaining (I use that word loosely) Fleetwood Town, few opportunities were taken and the 0-0 scoreline was perhaps too kind for the teams competing at the Valley. So we now enter September looking to increase our points tally from the magical number that is: 5 – Five league games await this month, beginning with a short trip over to Essex, where an old friend and his side awaits
The OppositionName: Southend United |
Manager: Chris Powell
Ground: Roots Hall
We all knew this day could come yet surprisingly in a way, its taken four years to happen… Chris Powell is of course a man who’ll forever remain a modern day legend to Charlton fans, a professional on and off the pitch with his work rate epitomised our time in the Premier League. Powell upon retirement would start his Managerial career at the Valley which saw records tumbling as we finally won promotion back to the Championship.
We all know what happened next to Charlton, yet for Powell he would go on to have a mixed time at Huddersfield before returning this year to another old playing side; Southend, whose fans probably love him as much as we do (nope cant believe that)… Since taking charge at Roots Hall you can certainly see that Southend have a man who might take them in the same direction as Charlton, with a higher win percentage, our opponents have lost just seven games (two this season) under his stewardship, meaning that the current crop of Charlton players can expect a battle on their hands to come away with anything at 5pm!!
Charlton Team NewsAugust has without doubt been a difficult month for the Addicks and with Lee Bowyer having to call on the inexperience of George Lapslie and Albie Morgan its been impressive that even five points have been gained… It is in defence though where most points appear to have been saved though, with just the one clean sheet it could have been a lot worse and with Jason Pearce returning to the team you’d hope that’ll tighten us up at the back even further.
Further forward and there is even better news with Tariqe Fosu and Igor Vetokele returning to training… the latter making his first appearance for Charlton in a few years and looked fired up for the cause, the former on the other hand was only due to return to training on Monday so may have to accept a place on the bench – Tomorrow marks the end of the Transfer Window for EFL clubs and with Bowyer still working hard we may see someone like Josh Cullen / Eunan O’Kane or one other arriving at Sparrows Lane so they too may be involved this Saturday in some form!!
Phillips
Bauer | Pearce | Sarr
Solly | Aribo | Bielik | Pratley | Page
Grant | Taylor
Substitutes Bench: Steer | Dijksteel | Fosu | Ajose | Marshall | Vetokele | Cullen
PredictionAs already stated; facing a Chris Powell side is always going to be difficult and see Saturday being no different… On the player front it looks as though Bowyer will finally start to have a selection headache and whilst I think we can take a point from Southend, taking all three might be a bit too much of a challenge, regardless who plays.
Comments
The shrimpers get sunk, Powell gets punished.
Southend United 1 v CAFC 1
On current form, 2 mid table sides.
Roland goads the away fans by swinging on the crossbar in front of them.
Shat.
We are a bit tougher under Bowyer than under Robinson. I foresee honours even with Mr Powell - 1-1 draw.
Maybe.....
Nah, still nothing
I'd go with a 4-4-2 diamond. Because of the personnel it means that we can switch to 3-5-2 if things aren't working. But with three at the back without a natural sitting player we've left our defenders exposed at times. I also don't think Solly has it in him to be a wingback.
.......... Phillips
Solly Bauer Pearce Page
............... Bielik
........ Cullen....Pratley
................Aribo
......... Taylor....Grant
Just seen this on Instagram. Makes me think he'll be on the bench tomorrow (I know you have him there FA). I have to confess it worries me a little bit as he's been out for what 4-5 weeks and he'll have only had a week of training and Bowyer admitted they rushed him back for the playoffs last year.
We have CheckaTrade on Tuesday I believe, I'd much rather he get 20-30 minutes there so he can be eased back in to things, then have him on the bench a week Saturday.
Give him 15 minutes or so Saturday, maybe play him for 45-60 on Tuesday and see how he goes.
I know we want to ease him in and he won’t be rushed, but I am sure he will be better and more fit than people think.
A come from behind win !!!
1:2
Taylor and Pearce
...now where has it gone...
0-1. LB only does binary.
Reckon we’ll get a penalty today too.