Not feeling too hopeful tonight if i'm honest, be happy with a draw, think things will start clicking much better for us in the next few weeks and we'll start putting a really good run together, but don't think we're ready for that just yet - This is what I think Bowyer's team will be:
I'd be happy personally with a midfield of JFC, Morgan, Millar and Shinnie, but think it will be rare for Bowyer not to play one of Pratley/Watson in midfield unless he has neither available
Wanted to leave Pratley out for Shinnie and play JFC at the base but it's probably not worth starting Shinnie this soon into his return.
Hoping with an inform JFC and Morgan we can actually get our foot on the ball and string more than 3 passes together. It would be nice to see us get within 5 yards of an MK player tonight after the horror show in December.
I know it’s a huge amount of games to look at, but the fixtures between now and the beginning of April are very favourable on paper.
The only club we are playing that is currently above us in the table are Portsmouth. 9 of the next 14 are in London, 8 of them at home with the other away to Wimbledon.
If we are to get promoted this season, we need a very strong points return from the next 14 fixtures.
You know well enough what will happen: we'll muddle our way through, making heavy work of collecting points against the mundane and the dross. Then we'll go on an amazing final run-in, winning all the 6-pointers against our promotion rivals to nick a last-gasp place in the play offs.
We haven't got a good record against MK Dons of late so I'm not optimistic. The good news is where Charlton are concerned I'm usually wrong this season.
I suppose the game revolves around one thing and that is our ability to stop conceding soft goals. Actually soft probably doesn't go far enough to describe them.
Diamond, with Pratley dropping back into the defence to make a 3 when under a lot of pressure and Millar drifting wide throughout. Reckon that's a fair defence/ attack balance.
Diamond, with Pratley dropping back into the defence to make a 3 when under a lot of pressure and Millar drifting wide throughout. Reckon that's a fair defence/ attack balance.
2-2
Wouldnt be surprised to see Pearce return what with MK having Cameron Jerome up top - Bowyer mentioned that he played against Peterborough because of Clarke-Harris and suspect Jerome will be even more physical for Gunter / Oshilaja to deal with
Currently we score and we concede. I wouldn't be surprised at another 2-2. Having said that, we have to stop conceding the sort of goals we are. We can't be that bad defensively.
Diamond, with Pratley dropping back into the defence to make a 3 when under a lot of pressure and Millar drifting wide throughout. Reckon that's a fair defence/ attack balance.
2-2
Maatsen won't be playing according to Bowyer injured or not, he told Purrington on Friday to ready himself for tonight.
I am slightly surprised by the number of people not starting Aneke in their starting line ups today. He has looked so dangerous recently and is scoring nearly every time he starts (Whilst still missing good chances too)
The key to tonight is simple. First goal. We must stop conceding it. Score first, I think we win. Concede first (again) and we could be set for a tricky night ahead.
Just need to take our second half form into the first half!!
Recently we have simply looked bereft of confidence in defence. whenever they attacked us we panic. We don't have the relationships or partnerships at that end of the pitch to make us solid. We need to stick with a settled back 4 as much as is possible to try and develop an understanding between players. We will score but I am not confident we can keep a clean sheet so I am going 1-1.
Williams was our brightest spark first half on saturday and he was harshly brought off. I think he looks better down the middle than Millar (who is better out wide).
Amos Gunter Deji Pearce Purrington Watson Shinnie JFC Williams Stockley Ronnie
AMB Matthews Pratley Morgan Millar Aneke Washington
Comments
Not my choice, but think this could be line up
Amos
Matthews | Gunter | Osh | Purrington
Pratley
JFC | Millar
Shinnie
Stockley | Shwartz
I'd be happy personally with a midfield of JFC, Morgan, Millar and Shinnie, but think it will be rare for Bowyer not to play one of Pratley/Watson in midfield unless he has neither available
We'll concede three by half time if thats the case
You know well enough what will happen: we'll muddle our way through, making heavy work of collecting points against the mundane and the dross.
Then we'll go on an amazing final run-in, winning all the 6-pointers against our promotion rivals to nick a last-gasp place in the play offs.
You read it here first! ha ha
They mullered us in midfield last time because they had the extra man and the gameplan to exploit it.
The good news is where Charlton are concerned I'm usually wrong this season.
So, well doable.
Desperately need to see an improvement in defence, someone needs to step up and take control. Pearce and Pratley spring to mind.
Morgan JFC
Washington Stockley
AMB, Matthews, Gilbey, Williams, Shinnie, Schwartz, Aneke
Diamond, with Pratley dropping back into the defence to make a 3 when under a lot of pressure and Millar drifting wide throughout. Reckon that's a fair defence/ attack balance.
2-2
- Up top where he is showing he can do the bizz with goals/aerial power
- Slightly deeper where opposition struggle to handle him
The key to tonight is simple. First goal. We must stop conceding it. Score first, I think we win. Concede first (again) and we could be set for a tricky night ahead.
Just need to take our second half form into the first half!!
Williams was our brightest spark first half on saturday and he was harshly brought off. I think he looks better down the middle than Millar (who is better out wide).
Amos
Gunter Deji Pearce Purrington
Watson
Shinnie JFC
Williams
Stockley Ronnie
AMB Matthews Pratley Morgan Millar Aneke Washington