Charlton Athletic v West Bromwich AlbionThe FA Cup 3rd RoundSunday 5 January | Kick-Off: 14:01pmReferee: David WebbIntroductionAfter a spirited second half performance from our youngsters in the league at Swansea City, we turn our attentions to the oldest cup competition in the world, The FA Cup. The young players done themselves and the club proud and will get the chance to carry that on against the joint league leaders of our division, West Brom.
Fun FactWest Brom were the first club to win The FA Cup with a completely English-born team back in 1888.
OppositionWith West Brom being joint top of the league with Leeds United, and possessing a huge squad of players, it would be with expectation that Bilić will make a number of changes. However, West Brom making changes means instead of Robson-Kanu, they play Charlie Austin or Zohore, instead of Sawyers or Livermore, they play ultra experienced Gareth Barry. The gulf of quality in depth of squad between us and them right now is for all to see.
Winning is a habit that West Brom will want to continue. I am sure that they will want to progress into the next round of the competition without too many problems. It's with this in mind that I fully expect them to take this game seriously, rather than just a warm up ready for next week's clash with us in the league.
Charlton Team NewsPredicting the team for a cup game is never east. This year, even with Bowyer saying he won't be making many changes, it's still a difficult task. With many injuries and games in quick succession, some players do need a rest. Tom Lockyer and Darren Pratley in particular have played practically every minute of every game recently and so a weekend off will do both the world of good. You could say the say for Conor Gallagher, however midfield is one of our major problems right now and I think he will be involved. This has to potential to be the youngest team we have ever fielded for an FA Cup game.
To help the depleted squad, we welcome Andre Green who is expected to be involved from the start and play against his parent club's local rivals. We also welcome back 3 young players. Brendan Wiredu has been on loan at Colchester, and Maloney on loan at Newport, both in League Two. Stevenson is the third after being on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League.
Phillips
Solly Oshilaja Sarr Purrington
Morgan
Wiredu Gallagher Maloney
Davison Green
Maynard-Brewer, Matthews, Pearce, Stevenson, Vennings, Ledley, Ocran
PredictionAn incredibly tough game but one the young players should approach without fear. There's no pressure on them to go and win the game, but know it's a learning experience and another opportunity to show their quality. However, West Brom will have too much of their own quality for us unfortunately.
Charlton Athletic 1-3 West Bromwich Albion
Green
Comments
Unless its different rules because of them being Non-League - Potentially worth swapping him for Doughty
The 3 returning loanees at least give us some more bodies. I'd be tempted to rest Gallagher as well, if we're level with 20 to go bring him on, but if we're comfortably losing (or winning!) rest his legs.
Solly, Oshilaja, Sarr, Purrington
Jennings, Ledley, Maloney
Green, Doughty
Davidson
Think Lockyer and Gallagher will get some needed and deserved rest, Bowyer said he can’t rest too many as it’s not fair on the kids but I think those two are essential. Also see Morgan getting rested from the start but making a sub appearance, game has also got Ledley written all over it.
We all know what’s coming, it’s charlton, it’s an unflattering FA Cup tie, we have injuries, we have a manager who doesn’t see the cup as a priority (which is fine), although if we line up like so we have plenty of pace out wide, just don’t see our midfield coping against theres.
1-3 Sarr consolation.
Solly Sarr Stevenson Doughty
Wiredu Oshilaja Ledley Maloney
Davison Green
Is my random prediction based on the players on the bench last night and the players recalled from loans
It will be a total team of youth but let's hope we dont get to much of a arse bashing that it knocks the confidence of the youngsters who have been doing brilliantly in bowyers 1st team of late and gives some of the others the vital experience to push on
This is very difficult to predict the team but definitely going to be a real challenge for these young players.
I can think of a few reasons why he has not played any minutes since we signed him and he played that one half.
1. He really is shot as a footballer, an Bowyer thinks he will do more damage then good if he played
2. He is not showing the attitude or desire to play in training that Bowyer demands from his players
3. He is shot as a footballer, but Bowyer wanted him in around the squad in a mentoring capacity for all the kids we have to play
4. He was an RD signing that Bowyer never wanted.
2-0.