Peterborough United v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 26th January 2018 … 3pm Kick-Off
Referee: David Webb (Lancashire)
IntroductionWell it certainly feels as though its been an busy week around Sparrow Lane… Our last match against Accrington Stanley was certainly without incident yet for eighty minutes it looked as though it would be uneventful with both sides sharing the spoils, and then as we all know it got interesting… When sides want to win promotion they don’t always win pretty and last Saturday was evidence of that, this weekend it’s a complete reverse of that style of game – A trip to Peterborough awaits and the chance to virtually end Portsmouth’s gap at the top of the table!!
The OppositionName: Peterborough United |
Manager: Steve Evans
Ground: London Road
For Posh fans they must be wondering if the same old story from the same old script… The start of the season for our opponents would see a blistering start from Steve Evans and his men leaving many wondering if this would be their year to return to the Championship... It was pretty much a repeat of the following season; undefeated until the middle of September and fans were no doubt thinking of potential trips to Villa Park and Selhurst Park next season.
Yet then strangely as in both seasons, the wheels have slightly come off… With one less defeat than the Addicks (although they’ve played a game less); Peterborough’s problem is they’ve drawn too many games – November would see them win just the one game (a 1-0 home win against AFC Wimbledon), the fact they’ve won just the one home game since shows there is another opportunity to create another Fratton Park style win from last season, especially with such a big Charlton following travelling up the old London Road for this one.
Of course though Peterborough will remain dangerous… Gone are the days of them being an easy victory the Addicks and on Saturday we’ll go looking for our first win over the Posh in four years, and with just one draw in the last five meetings its important that we don’t let those towards the bottom of the Play-Offs to start closing any gaps themselves.
Charlton Team NewsIt wouldn’t be a fixture without another Charlton player missing for whatever reason and this week sees the absence of Lyle Taylor for the first of three fixtures – The Striker having been sent off against Accrington will be a big miss in the team, naturally Addicks fans have debating on his replacement yet today Lee Bowyer confirmed that Reeco Hackett-Fairchild will make a rare start, the youngster signed from Dulwich Hamlet has yet to score for the senior team yet having found the net on a regular basis for the Reserves will no doubt look to Karlan Grant as proof at how a player can turn around their fortunes.
Elsewhere and its pretty much business as usual – Krystian Bielik will no doubt be fine after getting a bit too close and personal with some fans last week, whilst you’d expect Ben Reeves to potentially come into the midfield after being instrumental in our last victory!!
Phillips
Solly | Bauer | Sarr | Purrington
Cullen | Bielik | Reeves
Williams
Grant | Hackett-Fairchild
Substitutes Bench: Maxwell | Dijksteel | Lapslie | Marshall | Fosu | Ocran | Pratley
PredictionUltimately believe that this is our hardest away game left this season… Victory will certainly setup a last few months and will without doubt make our rivals nervous of us – With FA Cup commitments its another game that Charlton will play on top of our rivals, a win will put pressure on them to win those games in hand, a draw shouldn’t be sniffed at against a team who have become a bit of a problem to us of late
Comments
RHF for Taylor the only change then?
Charlton send the faithful hords home with a 2.1 victory.
Oh
And Steve Evans chokes while attempting to put five hotdogs in his mouth at the same time
COYR.
1-1 i want to say we can win this one, but i feel the results have been far too positive lately so always likely for a slip up and it wouldn't be the worst away draw.
COYR
Grant with the goal, kisses the badge and shows his love for Charlton
Can't see us winning this - Bowyer has wound up their squad by saying that they weren't good enough after that non-penalty defeat back in September. Chance for us to get really close to the table top. They need the win to peg us back. Grant being talked up and his mind elsewhere, plus Taylor out and RHF in (a massive step down in class), I'm not sure we will hold the ball well enough to create much. They can press our midfield (as AS did last week) knowing it won't stick if we bypass them. Big following and often happens that we get let down. I hope I'm wrong on all counts and we smash them 6-0 but I just can't see it.
Congratulations you win... NOTHING!!
Tough game, hope for a narrow win but would take a draw.
I'm not sure if Reeco is the answer up front (sorry Henry) but I certainly wouldn't want Fossy playing alongside Karlan; he's best suited on the flank, taking on the full-back, and getting in crosses.
I'd be inclined to play Grant as a sole striker and play Jonniesta and one of Fossy and Reeves as half-forwards (the other one to be an impact sub to run at a tiring Posh defence). Ideally, I'd like Clarke in that position but he's obviously not yet fit enough/out of the door soon (delete as applicable).
If Solly and The Cat are able to push forward, Bielik can drop back to provide defensive cover with the Becken Twins.
Solly - BeckenBauer - BeckenSarr - Cat
Bielik
Cullen - Lapslie
Jonniesta - Fossy or Reeves
Karlan
Subs: Maxwell, Dijksteel, Pratley, Marshall, Fossy or Reeves, RHF, The Force
EDIT: A prediction wouldn't go amiss ...
Lord Bowyer's Red & White Army to continue its march towards Division Two football with a resounding 2-0 win, Bielik to score from a corner (and this time it counts as Lyle won't be there to dismember the oppo goalie and concede a free kick) and Williams to get his first for the club.
Like the idea of this "Williams/ Fosu / Reeves behind" in the absence of Taylor. Really potent front line.
I'd be pretty happy with a point from this but with a big and noisy away support, we could almost make it feel like a home game and get away with all three
I pretty much agree with @ForeverAddickted's line up, although Lapslie for Reeves to start might be an option in what will probably be a hectic start necessitating a lot of speedy defending, tackling and general getting stuck right in.
Taylor missing for three will be a big loss but it is what it is .. as important as he is, we are not a one man team .. I am really going to enjoy this and look forward to us dragging the Posh (but how can Steve Evans, Barry Fwy and Darragh MacAnthony be termed Posh) through the dirt .. come on youse Addicks !!!!!
Peterborough United 1 v CAFC 2
I see a hard fought 1-1 draw.
2-1 to Posh
A post match trip to Pizza Hut for Evans...
Give me a point now.
Phillips
Solly, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington
Bielik, Cullen
Fosu, Williams, Reeves
Grant
1-3 Fosu x2, Sarr
Fosu needs to step up and be the player he was last season
Hope I am wrong, but just cant see us taking this one, it's the Charlton Way