Charlton Athletic v Milton KeynesWednesday 2nd December | Kick-Off: 19.45pmLive on Valley PassReferee: Andy Davies (Hampshire) - Previously officiated Charlton against Sunderland in our 0-0 draw in early October.IntroductionJust what the doctor ordered! After what can only be described as a blip that came out of nowhere, The Addicks reacted in perfect fashion on Saturday with a solid away win at another promotion chasing rival. The impressive Albie Morgan scored his first league goal for the club on his 50th appearance, supplemented by Omar Bogle as he fought off the criticism from midweek to get the monkey off his back, opening his own account for the club by taking note of what from this moment forward shall be called, 'The Aneke Role', - scoring after coming off the bench. An extra 24 hours rest for the players as we play on Wednesday, instead of what usually would be a Tuesday, but we finally return back to The Valley after what has seemed like forever. To kick-off the countdown to Christmas starts now, and to top it off, fans are allowed back into The Valley! The first time we will have any more than 1000 since March and next up, Milton Keynes.
OppositionManager: Russell Martin (29.6% win rate)
Stadium: Stadium MK
League Position: 18th |
Last 6: DLWDDW
Milton Keynes played Shrewsbury Town at home in their previous league game, drawing 2-2, their last line-up was:
Fisher
O'Hora | Keogh | Cargill
Poole | Sørensen | Surman | Fraser | Sorinola
Jerome | Walker
Milton Keynes are on a fair run of form which has only included a single loss in their last 6 fixtures, coming against the current league leaders Hull City. Other results have included an impressive 2-1 victory away at Sunderland, a 2-0 win at home to Wigan, and three draws which have been 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2. However, results don't tell the whole story with MK. The well known phrase - even if it's untrue - is that possession is 9 tenths of the law, and if football worked in the same way, they'd be looking like runaway champions. An interesting statistic is that they average an extraordinary 65% possession, even getting as much as 73% in their 3-2 defeat to Oxford United, who we all know is a side who like to keep the ball themselves. Incredibly, the only fixture so far this season they have had less than 60% of the ball came in arguably their best result - winning away at Sunderland - MK would see only 35%. What this does show is that for the majority of the time, Russell Martin's side can keep the ball well, but are they doing anywhere near enough with it?
Personnel wise, MK have a number of senior players who have spent the majority of their careers in the Championship. At centre back, Richard Keogh (34) was the former Derby County captain until gross misconduct meant The Rams terminated his contract. But what he does bring is vast experience and the ability to play regularly throughout the season. Prior to his sacking at Derby, Keogh averaged 49 appearances per season over 9 years of Championship football. In midfield, Martin has called upon a former teammate from his playing days at Norwich City. Andrew Surman signed as recently as 17th November and has the capability to help Milton Keynes use of the ball to be far more effective and penetrable. The 34 year-old South African is technically very good for this level, and alongside penalty taker and energetic Scott Fraser, those two will be pivotal if MK are to come away from The Valley with a result. Up front, and to complete the set of a 34 year-old spine, they have another former Norwich City teammate of Martin's in Cameron Jerome. The striker recently spent two seasons away in Turkey before returning back to the UK, and has shown his prowess in front of goal at this level, with one every 144 minutes. A type of player who will love the battle against his opposing centre back, and is strong in the air too, so stopping the service into the box is certainly something The Addicks should be looking at for this midweek fixture.
Charlton Team News'Charlton and freak injuries, a marriage made in hell', that's the quote I used in a post regarding Ryan Inniss a few days ago. And freak injuries it is that continues to hinder the options that Bowyer has at his disposal. This time, Paul Smyth was taken off on a golf buggy on Saturday with a nasty gash to his left knee. It hangs in the balance whether he will have an outside chance of being involved as they may decide to wait until the healing process is in its full swing. Either way, we should - fingers crossed - have Washington back after a minor knock. Additionally, Ian Maatsen saw his 5th booking of the season at Portman Road for what appeared to be time wasting, but Bowyer was unmoved on the matter as he had planned to rest the Chelsea loanee to save him from burn-out. Ben Purrington will come in for the youngster.
Saturday saw Aneke start only his second game of the season, getting through an important 71 minutes, and even though his performance certainly deserves another start, it's highly likely we will see Bogle come in for him, meaning Aneke could fulfil 'The Aneke Role', and score against his former club from the bench... Speaking of former MK players, Alex Gilbey got a good 35-40 minutes in his legs coming on for Jonny Williams, putting him in a strong position to start against the club he left in the summer. You would expect that Williams will come off the bench and aim to be involved again from the start next Saturday. This match is likely to see Forster-Caskey miss out with a hamstring complaint, the severity has not been disclosed but Saturday's trip to Shrewsbury would be a good target for the left-footed midfielder.
Bowyer could well consider his options in defence. Although we managed to keep a clean sheets on Saturday, playing against a physical striker like Cameron Jerome will pose a different challenge for the makeshift centre-back pairing of Gunter and Pratley. That could mean we welcome back club captain, Jason Pearce, into the team. The skipper has been on the bench for the last 3 league games without gaining any minutes, but he has been training with the squad for a month, you would expect him to be fit enough to start by now. Famewo and Oshilaja will also be looking to be push for the 18 after their injuries and recent illness for the latter.
Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Famewo, Oshilaja, Pratley, Williams, Maddison, Aneke
Another game where the vast majority of us would expect to win, and you'd be right. This is a game we should be winning to maintain our position in the hunt for promotion. But I really think, as supporters, we should be patient and be reminded that even being at home, we are not likely to see too much of the ball. Getting behind the boys and staying behind them is going to be important. MK are a team where their whole game plan is about having possession. That could work in our favour as we have seen since Bowyer has been in charge. Win the midfield battle, which is why I have selected that personnel, and we will stop the service into their front men. It will allow us to set traps, win it high, and hit them quickly on the counter too. 3 points stays in South East London.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Milton Keynes
Washington
Aneke
Comments
Aren’t MK another of our bogey sides?
Thanks for doing them.
4 0 to the mighty Addicks.
Top of the league come Xmas and that's where we will stay.
Would be nice to get a bit of luck with our injuries and have those players who we've been told "might be back on Wednesday" actually be back on Wednesday.
Fondly remember our first meeting, a 5-1 victory at The Valley just over 11 years ago.
I'm not sure if we'd be better going 3-4-3 for this one.
If so I'd like to see:
Amos
This gives us the benefit of being able to bring Morgan on and like for like replacing Pratley for Morrison.
The 3 becomes a 5 at the back if we need it.
Personally I'd start the same side we had against Ipswich, they'll have had an extra days rest.
Its still a great Preview from you as always mate!!
Little bit nervous about this next run of fixtures myself, whilst I've predicted we'll do well in the December points thread there is still a little voice in my head reminding me how we did against Burton which is making me slightly cautious
Its certainly baffling that Pearce has remained on the bench for the last few games now as well so undecided if he'll start
I've pretty much gone for the same as yourself @Sage!!
Dazzler21 said: Maatsen suspended Daz which kinda buggers up a 3-5-2. If Pearce is back, maybe we will go back to Watson and Pratley in front of a back four with Morgan and Shinnie in front of them?
I don't want Watson and Pratley together at CM. Would almost prefer Levitt in the 2 in a 5.
When we don’t have the ball, having the extra centre back could come in handy when playing against someone like Jerome. It just means the midfield will have to be close to one another to ensure we give ourselves a good chance of winning the second ball if we don’t win the first.
Thank you though.
I think a bit of complacency crept in last week across the board, from supporters to players, and that’s why we got the result we did. I don’t think that type of thing will happen again so not too worried about results going forward. More the schedule and how it will take its toll on the squad if injuries keep happening.
To me Wednesday is the perfect opportunity for Pearce to come in. Even if he gets taken out again Saturday with Famewo coming in, he’ll then have 10 days to recover and go again.
Matthews, Pratley, Pearce, Purrington
Watson
Morgan, Shinnie
Gilbey
Washington, Bogle
Rest for Gunter perhaps as he’s doing Saturday/midweek and internationals, Gilbey thrown in again he will only get better, Shinnie due a rest but doubt he will till Gilbey is fully fit. Hopefully Washington is back. Not a bad side these probably slightly misplaced and play a passing game that on occasions clicks really well, that said I think we’ll just have enough but maybe not that comfortable. 2-1 Shinnie, Aneke.
Didn’t they knock us out of various cups that we’re not bothered about, apart from me?
Unless he gets himself sent off, of course.
I agree with the sentiments many have made already - LB will use the Burton slip as a constant warning to the squad against complacency.
I don’t have a season ticket so no chance of being there. Looking forward to the splendid match commentary online and hearing some strains of VFR from the 2000 that do assemble.
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-handed-defensive-boost-for-milton-keynes-match-but-striker-will-miss-out/
Nice words from Bows which shows the importance of a squad more than ever this season. I also think he's fed up of being known as the injury hit club.
Surman had a good career with Bournemouth and Jerome had lots of pace and was dangerous when I saw him play for Norwich.