On an advanced side note, I will be sharing the responsibilities of doing the pre match preview with
@ForeverAddickted by writing up the midweek previews for this season.
Charlton Athletic v Forest Green Rovers (EFL Cup)
Tuesday 13th August | Kick-Off: 19.45pm
Referee: John Busby (Oxfordshire)
Introduction
Even the most optimistic Charlton supporter surely wouldn’t have envisioned the perfect start to the season, especially with how our squad was looking just this time last week. But once again, Bowyer and the boys continue to defy the odds and show the team spirit and quality that we possess in the team. Bowyer repeatedly said that we would surprise teams this season and we have already started doing just that. One of the only two teams in the division to still have a 100% record, we must really take a lot of confidence from this start. But now we must temporarily turn our attentions to the first cup competition of the season, the EFL Cup, or otherwise known as the Carabao Cup. Our record for this competition is notoriously awful with only managing to reach the third round once in the last eleven seasons. It remains to be seen whether we can we fare better this season, but first we must get past our opposition on Tuesday night, Forest Green Rovers.
Opposition - Forest Green Rovers
Manager: Mark Cooper (41% win rate)
Stadium: The New Lawn
Nickname(s): Rovers / Green Devils
Fun facts: First club in history to have their kits made from eco-friendly bamboo material & players are instructed to follow a plant based diet throughout the season.
Forest Green finished 5th last season, only missing out on automatic promotion by 5 points. In the play-offs they struggled to impose themselves having been reduced to 10 men in both of their semi-final games against the eventual winners, Tranmere Rovers. A positive start to this season has followed, winning their opening game against Oldham Athletic and drawing away at Walsall on the weekend. Although they were caused a lot of problems against the Saddlers and were fortunate to come away with a point. The bookies have them at 16/1 to win the league, and 4/1 for promotion.
Rovers have started the season playing a back 3, a system rarely used in League Two, so it will be interesting to see whether they carry on with the formation, especially as Walsall’s striker, Elijah Adebayo, got in behind their defence time after time on Saturday. Since last season, they have lost their main threat up front, Chris Doidge. A player who had a 1 in 2 record with Forest Green, Doidge has since moved on to Hibernian. Instead, the eco-friendly club will now look to others who they hope can produce the goods. George Williams is currently injured, the former Fulham attacker and Welsh international would have been someone to watch out for. Instead, Aaron Collins and Shawn McCoulsky could be potential danger men if they are to play on Tuesday evening. McCoulsky is a former Dulwich Hamlet striker who grew up in Lewisham, whilst Collins has represented Wales at under age levels. In defence, Forest Green have the extremely experienced and well travelled, Matt Mills, who regularly played in the Championship for a decade with clubs such as Reading, Bolton, and Nottingham Forest.
Charlton Team News
With the league being our main priority, I forecast there to be wholesale changes to the team we saw win at The Valley on Saturday. The fact that we have the luxury (when was the last time this happened?!) of having a squad of players that don’t rely too much on the youth, means we can get some minutes into the legs of those who need it most.
In terms of personnel, other than Lewis Page and new loanee Beram Kayal currently being injured, there are no other players known to be unavailable. Bowyer confirmed on Saturday that Forster-Caskey, Field, Bonne, and Aneke will play, making the prediction for this cup tie a bit easier. Overall, I think we will see a sprinkle of youth who may go out on loan (this is a good shop window for them to get a move to a decent club) as well as players on the fringes who need game time. Don’t expect us to be risking anyone more important to the team. Let’s put out a good side and get the job done.
Subs: Phillips, Lockyer, Pearce, Williams, Doughty, Gallagher, Leko
Prediction
Winning is a great habit to get ourselves into and progressing into the next round will also allow us to continue to get minutes into the legs of those who might not feature as much, or players we will still be looking to bring in. At home, I would anticipate us to be comfortable.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Forest Green Rovers
Bonne
Sarr
Comments
hopefully a nice 3-0 win
I was amused when last night on Charlton Live Louis (palace) Mend😁 described Forest Green Rovers as a bit odd or strange (can't remember his exact words) because of their vegetarian/green/eco policy and efforts.
I however would describe them as cutting edge.
I have an odd fondness for them absolutely because of their green policy, also because ''The Singing Dectective' is an absolute masterpiece, (as is Blue Remembered Hills) and both Dramas are set in Forest Green Rovers home area.
@ForeverAddickted, that young upstart will be kept honest and on his game.
Appreciate Both of your efforts and research.
Completely agree on the line up, is a chance for the three youngsters (Wiredu / Lapslie / Morgan) to show what they can each do before potentially going out on loan
Wonder if we may see Toby Stevenson in place of Purrington but then again we didnt see the former involved in any First Team friendlies so would be a slight surprise... Do have to wonder where Lewis Page is with his hamstring injury what with Aneke already back after his (I guess the issue could vary based on the damage caused)
Certainly not been this optimistic about a League Cup tie for a while, doubt I'll even be able to watch on stream (if there is one) tomorrow what with it being my Wife's birthday
Equally going for a 2-0 win, hopefully Bonne will get off the mark too
Wiredu | Oshilaja | Sarr | Stevenson
Kayal
Lapslie | Field
Morgan
Bonne | Odoh
3-0, Sarr, Wiredu, Odoh
On Saturday Forest Green were away at Walsall and one of their players was injured and laying face down on the pitch. The Walsall fans started chanting 'you vegan bastard stop eating our grass.'
The strongest reserve team we have put out.
Charlton 4-0 win, Stevenson hat-trick.
I would play Yao at RB. He is a specialist RB whereas Wiredu has little experience there. If Yao does not play in this one, I have to ask what is the point of him? He is 20, so it is now or never.
Update: he is playing for u23s today so that's my cunning plan demolished.
Hemed to play if confirmed in time, although I am losing hope.
I think we may lose this one, although our best players are better than theirs, simply because FGR have a settled team whereas ours is a scratch outfit who have never played together. And because we are Charlton and it is a cup.
"4-0 to the carnivores"
"No noise from the hummus boys"
"We can see you sneaking out to get a secret burger"
Vegans vanquished.
Looking forward to this one.
Regarding Lewis Page, I heard (not from the most reliable of places, but it’s information) he could be back for Nottingham Forest, Wednesday 21st August, which happens to be my birthday. Saturday probably comes too soon for him to make the squad but if he rejoins training at the end of this week, he could push to make the bench in a little over a week. Fingers crossed.