Portsmouth v Charlton Athletic
Tuesday 11th December 2018 … 7:45pm Kick-Off
Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire)
IntroductionIt certainly wasn’t a happy trip North for Lee Bowyer and his side on the weekend, following the decision to rest key players in the FA Cup, this was always going to be a result that would receive scrutiny from the fans… 2-1 would be the result and although maybe a tad harsh, its proof that Football isnt about what you deserve but ultimately what you end up with!! – There is no time to dwell though and its on to the next game, what better way to try and return to winning ways than a re-arranged trip to Portsmouth.
The OppositionName: Portsmouth |
Manager: Kenny Jackett
Ground: Fratton Park
Of course we’ve been in this position before (twice could be said) – Firstly this is our second re-arranged game of the season thanks to the International break and once again means that we’re having to play catch up against the likes of Luton Town, the last re-arranged game saw a 2-0 win at Walsall, a repeat of which would be extremely welcome.
The second position we find ourselves in is the blunt requirement to come back up the M3 with all three points; the Addicks would visit Fratton Park in April last season knowing that only a win would keep alive their Play-Off aspirations, a sole goal from Nicky Ajose would make it a memorable night and so end Pompey’s own hopes of promotion – This season though and Portsmouth look to be a side that appear destined for the Championship, having been defeated just the once this season (a 1-0 loss at home to Gillingham), its all the more impressive that they can afford to leave last seasons top scorer: Brett Pitman on the bench
In terms of head to head records between these sides you cant find too many more games against other opposition... Charlton v Portsmouth is of course one of those that has been played more than most in history, yet matches of late have certainly been close - Since 1980 there have been a total of 40 games between the two teams, and with 29 of those games either ending in 2-1 or 1-0 (the last five games alone have been by this scoreline) its proof we should expect another tight encounter.
And from those forty games who has won the most?
Surprisingly it’s Charlton (W20 | D5 | L15), if only we could swap some of those for Millwall victories (Sigh!)
Charlton Team NewsWell straight away I think we can forget about those out injured as none of the missing will be back anytime soon – The depleted Charlton side was hit even further last week with the news that Jamie Ward is now out for up to four weeks and so may have now played his last game in Charlton colours – It means that with Billy Clarke still regaining sharpness, its left to Tariqe Fosu to try and continue to find his form from last season!!
Steer
Solly | Bauer | Pearce | Sarr
Aribo | Bielik | Reeves
Fosu
Grant | Taylor
Substitutes Bench: Phillips | Dijksteel | Stevenson | Lapslie | Marshall | Ajose | Hackett-Fairchild
PredictionWithout doubt this’ll be our hardest fixture of the entire season, with just eight goals conceded at home; Fratton Park is a fortress and think anything other than a point would be acceptable – Charlton though have a habit of turning up against the big teams so a win shouldn’t be ruled out.
All we can hope is that John Brooks doesn’t miss key incidents, like he did at Sunderland (the Lynden Gooch challenge on Jason Pearce) and so cost us any further deserved points!!
Comments
Why didn't the ticket office tell me?
Is what I get for copying and pasting the headings from previous threads for ease
Edit: Its cute you think the Ticket Office would be aware though
A Tuesday evening in December away to the league leaders.
2-0 to Pompey.
I'm hoping we can earn a hard faught draw and then win our two home matches which follow.
1.1 draw.
But that is being really hopefull.
Portsmouth’s defence is rock solid, they just don’t concede goals. They’re definitely a team greater than the sum of its parts as although they do have some good players no doubt, they are very well organised, hard working and score goals at crucial times. Their away record is just as good as their home so this is going to be the biggest test of the season.
Even though I’ve mentioned about us playing a diamond, I wouldn’t be surprised to see us go with Marshall in either midfield or at wing back if we go with a back 3. Bows has a lot to think about as after Saturday, a result here is important for our season which we know is going to be tough.
We are going to need Pearce to be the warrior he has proven to be before, we need whoever is playing in the creative role to put in a shift and drop wide and help out as well as be a potential match winner.
Due to the comments made by Bowyer regarding Portsmouth being a big and physical side, I have changed my original line up that had Dijksteel at right back with Solly at left back. It’s now Sarr in at left back. I would love to see Dijksteel at the base of midfield instead of Bielik but I can’t see Bowyer going with it unfortunately.
Solly Bauer Pearce Sarr
Bielik
Reeves Aribo
Fosu
Taylor Grant
Phillips, Stevenson, Dijksteel, Lapslie, Marshall, Ajose, Hackett-Fairchild
Portsmouth 1-1 Charlton
Fosu
I wouldn't select a grossly out of touch Fosu, play Dijk in the middle alongside Bielik, to form a basically six man defensive screen with Marshall (not Reeves) and Aribo as the attacking midfielders .. we need something from this one as a morale booster. Pompey look certs now for promotion and anything from Fratton would be a real bonus
Portsmouth 1 v CAFC 1
Curbs philosophy was, when on a bad run, stop the rot, defend your way to a clean sheet and get back on track.
So 90 mins under the cosh and 0 - 0
d3d4football.com/portsmouth-v-charlton-athletic-league-one-preview/