FA Cup First RoundCharlton Athletic v Plymouth ArgyleSaturday 7th November 2020... 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Neil HairIntroductionWell the express train to the Championship continues to rumble on, two wins in the last few days doesnt just take our run of form to six wins on the trot, yet it is also three wins on the trot against the failed Play-Off sides from last season, the signs that Charlton can last the pace are there so its important to keep momentum going. This Saturday means we can now take pause of the League, rest players who'll potentially be on International Duty in the next week and give opportunities to those who have had to wait patiently whilst their team mates steal the spotlight; its FA Cup First Round day!!
The OppositionName: Plymouth Argyle |
Manager: Ryan Lowe
Division: League One (10th)
Last Season in the FA Cup: Second Round
Making the long trip up to South East London are Plymouth Argyle, newly promoted from League Two this summer it seems a theme that we face promoted sides in Cup encounters this season... Enough though about League talk, this is an opportunity to take a break ourselves from the exciting form we find ourselves in and enjoy a couple of performances without too much concern of the result.
As already mentioned; Plymouth would reach the Second Round of the FA Cup last season, both ties would see them facing League One opposition where they would first defeat Bolton Wanderers before drawing (and losing a replay) with Bristol Rovers - In terms of historical performances this has never been a competition that our opponents have excelled at, a 1-0 defeat at home to Watford in 2006/07 would see them bow out of the cup at the Quarter-Finals, their one and only appearance at that stage... Plymouth though do know how to get beyond this round, only once since 2012 have they lost in the First Round, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Carlisle United who ironically would go on to face our neighbours: Welling United.
So in terms of the Manager: Ryan Lowe is a figure who is building a steady reputation for himself... the ex-Striker (known for spells at various League clubs) would end his career at Bury before moving into the Management role in 2018/19, his first season would see the Shakers promoted back to League One where they were then thrown out of the league - He would move South to Plymouth where again he achieved promotion in his first season, a bit like our own Lee Bowyer, Lowe is a manager to keep an eye on in the future!!
Charlton Team NewsSo its pretty obvious that Bowyer is going to shake things up but just who comes in the squad and who gets a rest... Whilst he barely needs a break; Ben Amos could very well be sidelined with Ashley Maynard-Brewer given an opportunity to show if he can yet hack it at this level, the Australian youngster could well be joined in the starting line up alongside fellow youngster: Aaron Henry and James Vennings.
Else where and it could well have been an opportunity for Ben Purrington to come up against his brother: Tom, yet thats not possible anymore with the latter having signed for Bromley, you'd still expect the former to get some game time considering our lack of options at Left-Back... This could well be a chance too for Marcus Maddison to finally get some minutes and show the potential we all know he has, unfortunately going by commentary against Fleetwood it feels as though this game could be one match too soon for Jason Pearce, who'll no doubt be hoping for some minutes in the EFL Trophy next week!!
Maynard-Brewer
Matthews | Inniss | Pratley | Purrington
Morgan | Levitt | Forster-Caskey
Maddison
Smyth | Bogle
Substitutes Bench: Amos | Henry | Vennings | Aneke | Watson | Pearce | Wiredu
PredictionWell we all know how much Lee Bowyer rates the FA Cup, last time we were in League One we made it to the Second Round before losing to Doncaster, our Manager after that game wasnt bothered in the slightest about the result and I doubt he'll be too bothered this time around either... If things can go to plan its an opportunity to get the League encounter against Ipswich Town moved forwards and so avoid fixture congestion around Christmas, this is a competition that must be respected but there are bigger battles to come!!
No injuries and no suspensions needed this weekend boys, lets give the ref reason to keep his hair on!!
Comments
Bowyer did similar with Doughty in 2018/19 when we played Gillingham at the Priestfield where he was left on the bench just to get a feel for things
I would expect at least 6 or 7 players rested and replaced by those coming back from injury and others like Barker and Levitt given starts.
Pretty sure Plymouth will also ring the changes.
To be honest im not overly fussed about the result as long as we don't pick up anymore injuries.
Charlton 1 Plymouth 1
We win on penalties.
But, we have an international break and that might mean we take the game half seriously. Then it is a question of how seriously Plymouth will take it. Another observation is that we have in the past arranged behind closed doors friendlies to give players game time. Being out of the EFL trophy and League Cup may mean that some cup games going forward could be useful.
I suspect Bowyer will make many changes but may try to pick a side that has a decent chance of winning. But we shall see. I think we will see Barker, Purrington, Matthews, Levitt, Morgan, JFC and Smyth to start. Not sure who else. WIlliams may, but he will have international games so may not. That doesn't look too bad. It is too early for Pearce so I reckon Innes could start too.
I know Bogle is still gaining fitness but surely he needs a rest after a run of Saturday-Tuesday games. Aneke will need minutes after his lay-off.
Inniss had a rest last week so could start, but is there any point?
Pratley surely has to be rested.
Smyth could probably use some more minutes.
Really not bothered about this one.
Amos/M-B
Matthews Barker Inniss Purrington
JFC
Morgan Levitt
Smyth Maddison/Williams
Bogle
Aneke, Vennings and Maddison/Williams on the bench.
With the international break, the non internationals will get a break anyway, so Lee may use this and the Pizza cup on Tuesday to build up sharpness
We do seem a bit light up top, with Washington rested, the U23s don't seem over blessed with strikers either. Looking at the U23 page of the website, 13 players are listed, 3 of them goalkeepers with Aouachria and Clayden the only strikers
Vennings and Barker will almost definitely start. Henry also included too. I really can’t see Pratley, Bogle, Watson, maybe even Inniss involved. Lots of changes with most of the players given a nice rest ahead of another busy schedule once the international break is over.
Matthews Barker Mingi Purrington
Morgan F-Caskey Vennings
Maddison
Smyth Aneke
Harness, Inniss, Ness, Levitt, Henry, Wiredu, Ghandour
Forster-Caskey, Maddison, and Aneke all to get around 60 minutes, with Levitt, Henry, and Wiredu coming in for them.
We go out the cup, but only to the odd goal but a very spirited performance it is with 7 academy players finishing the game.
Seems a decent enough team, as i'm sure Plymouth will also rest players.
I would go something like
Amos
Matthews Innis Mingi Purrington
Watson
JFC Levitt
Shinnie
Smyth Bogle
My thinking?
Leave Williams, Gunter and Washington out of the squad as they are all likely to play some part in the internationals. The rest of the 1st squad will have 2 weeks after this without a game. If he plays too many "kids" in this one he might not be able to play them on Tuesday. Even if they are "meaningless" 2 games of mens football in 4 days might be too much.
Matthews
Barker
Pearce
Purrington
Morgan
Levitt
JFC
Smyth
Bogle
Maddison
So:
Maynard-Brewer
Matthews Barker Mingi Purrington
Williams JFC Levitt Morgan
Maddison Aneke