Phillips
Oshilaja | Lockyer | Pearce | Sarr
Cullen | Pratley | Williams
Gallagher
Aneke | Leko
Substitutes Bench: Amos | Solly | Field |
Forster-Caskey | Bonne | Oztumer | Matthews
Fulham v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 5th October 2019 … 12:30pm Kick-Off
Referee: Keith Stroud (Yup Seriously!!)
Introduction
If anything has been learnt from the last five days
then it’s the fact that Charlton do have the ability to go toe to toe with the
heavyweights at this level – A fortuitous three points against Leeds United on
Saturday was followed up with a narrow defeat last night against Swansea, and
whilst its always tough to take any defeat there were plenty of positives from
our last display – This Saturday will see the Addicks travelling across London
for the second London Derby of the season; Fulham our hosts under the spotlight
of the SKY cameras!!
The Opposition
Name: Fulham | Manager: Scott Parker
Ground: Craven Cottage
If there was one aspect to take pride from at the
turn of the Millennium it was the fact that nearly ever league club wanted to “do
a Charlton” when it came to tackling the Premier League
Two years ago we saw Fulham making a return to the
top flight and after just one season returned to the Championship in a fashion
that I’m sure no clubs will be eager to repeat – Big name signings such as Andre
Schurrle (supposedly a two year loan) and Jean Michael Seri proved to be flops
and Scott Parker (their third managerial appointment last season) was left to
pick up the pieces after being given the job full-time this summer
Surely for the first time ever we’ll see two
ex-Academy players (both having extremely successful careers) facing off
against each other as Managers; Scott Parker’s exit from Charlton will always
be a sore spot but his transition into Management shows promise… Like most
Managers these days he likes his team to keep the ball down and so pass around
teams – Tom Cairney will key to any Fulham attacks as we attempt a better
effort than our local rivals who would only have 16% of the possession in a 4-0
defeat this season!!
Charlton Team News
Unfortunately like last season it appears as though
injuries are slowly piling up for Lee Bowyer, thankfully this term the impact
appears less, a stronger squad meaning that more rotation can happen with their
being less impact on both the team and results.
This Saturday we have the big question of who plays
at Left-Back; Ben Purrington has been suffering with a calf-injury and finally
succumbed towards the end of the game last night – It leaves Bowyer with the
choice of playing Naby Sarr or even Jason Pearce out wide, or he can go with
the likes of Adam Matthews who made an impressive debut (albeit in his natural
right-back position) against the Swans!!
Of course with 24-hours less preparation than Fulham
its all about squad selection as a whole for the weekend – We’ll surely see the
likes of Jonny Williams returning to the fold along with Darren Pratley, so
giving us some much needed experience ahead of the onslaught that we should
expect.
Comments
I also think that if we can work out a way of playing a back 3/5, whatever way you want to look at it, that is how Bowyer will go.
Can't bloody believe we have Stroud as the referee, it's going to be hard enough as it is but expect a game where he makes it about himself, especially in front of the Sky cameras!
Sadly I think we might be on hiding - 4-0 to Fulham - though this team never cease to amaze me so you never know!
Bonne has held the ball up well and put himself about, I want that alongside Aneke's physical presence from the start. THe bonus of this is Leko gives us some pace and direct running going forwards off the bench which we have lacked of late.
Phillips
Solly Lockyer Pearce Sarr
Pratley Cullen
Gallagher Williams
Aneke Bonne
Amos, Oshilaja, Matthews, Field, JFC, Oztumer, Leko
that said its a local day out, beers with pals before and after
and who knows we were gonna get battered by leeds last week.
We suffered last night from playing 2 consecutive games where we had to give 110% chasing the opposition, and Saturday is likely to be similar. A shame Kayal and I assume Lapslie are unavailable as they might have been useful with the short turnaround, as Cullen looked a bit tired last night. I'd definitely start Aneke, he looked dangerous and will be much fresher than Leko and Bonne.
Cairney is on fire, we HAVE to close him down if he's at the edge of the box as at the moment he's lethal from 20 yards
Unforunately, with now having 6 players out injured, having a whole day less to prepare and rest, and Fulham's ridiculous squad for this level, I think it's going to be too much for us on Saturday.
Lockyer Pratley Sarr
Matthews Cullen Gallagher Solly
Aneke Williams
Leko
Amos, Pearce, Oshilaja, Field, Forster-Caskey, Oztumer, Bonne
Fulham 2-0 Charlton Athletic
We'll go with same side as Leeds.
I'd start Aneke and Bonne as they seem on the same wavelength.
I'd go with
Phillips
Solly Lockyer Sarr Matthews
Pratley
Field Cullen
Williams
Aneke Bonne
Amos, Oshilaja, Pearce, Gallagher, Oztumer, Forster-Caskey, Leko
Think I might swap Matthews for Deji if he can't play LB
Sounds like Page will need a miracle to get a new Contract under Bowyer!!
Come on Charlton punish me for me total lack of faith an give it too them.
Sadly can't see though
3 -0 Fulham
3.1 Fulham.
Please prove me wrong Charlton.
Sarr needs to play to deal with Mitrovic and a way needs to be found to stop Knockaert and Cairney .. we need to find a way to penetrate a very good defence. It will be VERY difficult
I never predict a loss .. but in this case, if we can scrape even a point on Saturday, I will be over the proverbial moon .. as I typed elsewhere, the Leeds win has given us a minimum 3 points against the best 3 sides in the division .. I'd have taken that before the season started .. the international break will be very welcome to get some fitness back into the squad .. then back on the relentless treadmill against more good teams
Fulham 2 v CAFC 2 (fingers, legs, arms, toes all crossed)
If we had Taylor and a couple of other players fit, I would say we would get a result. Right now I just can’t see it, unfortunately.