Charlton Athletic v FulhamWednesday 22 January | Kick-Off: 19.45pm
Live on Sky Sports Football via Red ButtonReferee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire) - Previously officiated in 3-0 win at home to Derby, and 1-0 loss away at Middlesbrough
Previous Result: Fulham 2-2 Charlton Athletic
Introduction
As we enter the biggest two weeks of our season, we first have a London derby to contend with. Due to our opponents success in the third round of The FA Cup, they’ve been rewarded with a tie against current Premier League title holders and neighbours to our new owners, Manchester City. The original fixture was due to be played this coming Saturday, but after a confusing change of dates, we are set to take on the West London club, who on a winter’s day will also experience mist rolling in from The Thames, Fulham.
Opposition
Manager: Scott Parker (45% win rate)
Stadium: Craven Cottage |
Nickname(s): The Cottagers, The Lily Whites
Fun facts:
- Whilst Fulham are the oldest professional London club, it is their ground that arguably holds the biggest story of their history. Craven Cottage was originally a cottage situated where the centre circle is now. The surrounding area was used as Anne Boleyn's hunting ground until a fire in 1888 meant it was abandoned. It wasn't until 1896 that Fulham, as we know it now, moved to their home.
- In 2008, Fulham mascot Billy the Badger once got sent off for break-dancing in the corner of the pitch as a match against Aston Villa started. The mascot blamed badger's poor hearing and eye-sight.
One word to describe Fulham this season could be inconsistent. With having one of the most talented and threatening squads in the division, many people would have expected Fulham to be leading the chase for promotion. However, it hasn't all been bad, a run of 4 wins from their last 6 games, including 3 clean sheets, Fulham find themselves in 3rd place and only 4 points behind Leeds United. As a team with the attacking prowess of Fulham, they have only won 5 games this season by more than one goal. A stat which shows just how close and competitive this league is.
Fulham very rarely move away from their favoured 4-3-3 formation, with their previous line up against Middlesbrough on Friday evening being:
Rodak
Odoi | Hector | Ream | Bryan
Onomah | McDonald | Cairney
Knockhaert | Reid | Cavaleiro
In terms of personnel, Fulham are without their main man up front just like us. Mitrović is out with ankle ligament damage which makes it easier for us to prepare who is likely to start in their dangerous front three. In the reverse fixture in October, Mitrović and Pearce had a great battle, but that will not be happening at The Valley in midweek. Instead, the movement and pace of Bobby Reid, flanked by Knockhaert and Cavaleiro is what we have to be very wary of.
Fulham like to play open and expansive football with both full-backs pushing up high and wide. They like to dominate and dictate the ball as their 70% possession in October showed. With all of their attacking play and keep ball, they've only scored 5 more goals than we have all season. It shows where our problems are. With every team having their strengths and weaknesses, Fulham is an interesting case. It could be argued that their strength is just as much as their weakness. Full-backs pushing high and wide means Knockhaert and Cavaleiro can cut in and support the lone striker making it very difficult to contain and defend. Their technique and ball manipulation in the final third is enough to hurt most teams. However, with this means that they're very vulnerable on the counter attack and the space left by the full-backs is enough for players like Williams, Oztumer, and Green to exploit at pace. It means we can drag the centre-backs out wide into areas they're not comfortable in. For this to work effectively though, it's vital to have midfield runners getting into the box, something Gallagher done so well for us.
Charlton Team News
After the defeat at Deepdale, we found out from Bowyer that Forster-Caskey and Cullen have suffered minor setbacks, but the latter is still expected to be part of the game in midweek. The plan on Saturday was for Forster-Caskey to start and Cullen coming on for him. Instead, we now have to hope that Forster-Caskey can recover quickly, and that we do get to finally see Cullen back after two months out.
Interestingly, Solly has not been part of the squad since The FA Cup third round tie against West Brom, and unless he has joined most of the squad in the treatment room, you would expect him to come in for Matthews with the quick turn around. Williams made his first start since October, whilst Oztumer came on to replace him. We could see that as a role reversed on Wednesday. As always, other possible mentions must be for Pearce to potentially come into the team, Morgan returning to the starting line-up, and Hemed could get his first start in place of the hard-working but inexperienced Davison.
As an additional side note, we can hope that in between the time of this being posted and the game on Wednesday evening, we have signed at least one player to come in and be part of the squad. For now, my predicted team can only be...
Subs: Amos, Matthews, Purrington, Oshilaja, Field, Williams, Taylor
Prediction
Fulham are a very good side and with the lack of players at our disposal and seemingly lack of belief throughout the squad at the moment, it makes this a huge challenge for our youthful team. An interesting stat to add is that both teams have scored in both halves in 29% of games this season. Let's hope we add to that whilst keeping Fulham quiet! With Fulham having an extra day rest and remaining in London, I know how difficult this game will be. But I have to remain an optimist.
Charlton Athletic 1-1 Fulham
Green
Comments
It’s going to be a long, tough evening.
2-1 CAFC, Hemed gets a goal
Be curious to see if Solly is involved in some way on Wednesday night - Unless Bowyer was sending a message that we need reinforcements I found it strange that we went for six subs on Saturday rather than having Solly on the bench unless he too isnt fit now
Agree too with Oztumer starting, reckon we'll see similar to Saturday with Williams coming on for the final 30mins
Would also love to see Hemed start, he's clearly getting fitter and is showing that little bit of quality that he has to have played for Brighton for so long
Charlton to suprise everyone by keeping a clean sheet.
1.0 Hemed with a late winner.
5-0 defeat...
It always bloody is at Charlton.
Bows hopeful for Taylor and Field to be on the bench with Cullen, very interesting!!
”The lads have everything, but ultimately come away with nothing.”