Charlton Athletic v BlackpoolSaturday 27th February 2021 … 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Brett Huxtable (Devon)IntroductionIs there something rotten in the state of South East London? - Whatever is going on behind the scenes at Sparrows Lane it feels as though the summer that is approaching will be a pivotal one that we've not seen in a decade. In similar fashion to Chris Powell's opening months in the hotseat, he was given a summer to rebuild which resulted in a historic year and you have to hope that we may see a repeat of that ten years on (regardless of who the manager is) - In the meantime we still have this year to complete, its potentially going to be a rough few months, lets hope with the recent news that this'll be the one full year we have to endure without getting back to the Valley!!
The OppositionName: Blackpool (13th) |
Manager: Neil Critchley
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Previous Meeting: Blackpool 0-1 Charlton Athletic
These two sides previously met on an October evening, back when everything was rosy and we dreamt of a speedy return to the Championship; Omar Bogle would almost score in the opening salvos, both sides would end up with ten men, and Chuks Aneke would leap off the bench to make it two wins on the trot for the Addicks, the third game they'd gone without reply!!
Things for the Addicks have of course gone a bit south since that night but how has 2020/21 worked out for the Tangerines who themselves have been enjoying a period of bliss in the boardroom - Well for starters they travel to South East London this Saturday off the back of a 1-0 win at Portsmouth in midweek and with four wins (clean sheets in each) out of the last five show that they're a team in form. Its been a year spent largely in midtable but they have four games in hand on most and are another where the table potentially doesnt give a true reflection, wins in each will of course send them into what is becoming a final Play-Off spot being fought over by well over half the division.
So who do we need to keep an eye on this Saturday, well for starters it would be remiss of me if I didnt give Ellis Simms a mention, the highly rated Everton striker joined on loan in January and certainly knows where the goal is having excelled at both U18 and U23 level, two goals to his name (both coming in the same game) for Blackpool highlight a promissing start to his senior career - Jerry Yates is of course the obvious striker to watch out for, with nine to his name this term, yet whilst our opponents do struggle in front of goal they are solid in defence, with 26-goals conceded, only three teams have a better defensive record thus far this season.
Charlton Team NewsWell it was a bit confusing on Tuesday night wasnt it, Bowyer understandably got questioned for going with a back five against the leagues bottom side yet it wasnt as crystal clear with the wing-backs often getting forward and Ben Purrington at times our main goal threat, unfortunately this is a team that isnt quick in defence so gets punished. CJ Hamilton (already successful against the Addicks for Mansfield in the FA Cup) will no doubt enjoy the space that we give the opposition at times so it wouldnt be a surprise to see both Akin Famewo and Ian Maatsen in the side this weekend.
Elsewhere and Bowyer naturally tried to change things up front a bit more when we went 2-1 down, Chuks Aneke dropped behind the Strikers, a role he has often played prior to this season, with Jayden Stockley and Ronnie Schwartz the two ahead of him - In a world of ever changing formations and tactics, this could yet be the next experiment that we see come 2pm.
Amos
Gunter | Oshilaja | Famewo | Maatsen
Millar | Pratley | Shinnie
Aneke
Schwartz | Stockley
Substitutes Bench: Harness | Purrington | Pearce | Smith | Jaiyesimi | Morgan | Washington
PredictionIt seem that whilst others start to ramp up their form ahead of a dash for the Play-Offs, its the Addicks who continue to sleep walk their way to an uninspiring finish that'll no doubt end towards mid-table... Its to the surprise of many fans that Lee Bowyer is still in charge which to some begs the mindset that Thomas Sandgaard currently finds himself in, for many defeat against Burton Albion was the last straw and that Bowyer has an impossible task to turn things around. Realistically as both players and as a manager, you're only as good as your last game, for many Tuesday night wasnt good enough, lets have a response!!
Comments
CAFC 1 v Blackpool 1
League One Table - Football - BBC Sport
Amos
Matthews Oshi Famewo Purrington
DJ Shinnie Pratley Millar
Aneke Stockley
With Morgan, Schwartz and Maatsen to come off the bench if needed.
1-3
Would happily take any type of win to just give us some hope that this season isn’t going to collapse terribly.
it’s not the money it’s the pain I go through.
I also agree with your team, when Stockley plays, Shinnie plays and visa versa.
Would really like to see Aneke behind Schwartz and Stockley, given the fact that Chuks can play midfield as well as up top - I'd just be very surprised if Bowyer were to take that stance himself, especially with Millar where he is in my line up
Amos
Gunter Oshilaja Famewo Purrington
Pratley Smith
DJ Shinnie Millar
Stockley
subs: Harness, Pearce, Maatsen, Morgan, Aneke, Schwartz, Washington
2-0 win Stockley (shot) and Aneke
Gunter - Oshilaja - Famewo - Purrington
Shinnie - Watson - Smith - Millar
Stockley - Aneke
Subs:
From around 60 mins
Watson Off
Pratley On
Stockley Off
Schwartz On
Aneke Off
Washington On
From around 80 mins
Shinnie Off
Jaiyesimi On
Smith Off
Morgan On
If he believes that it must be the same shape again? Mainly the same players? If it was right, and worked on Tuesday, must be right on Saturday.
Who knows anymore...
A lot of lifers thought LB would be gone by the weekend (including me) but he's still here and likely to be for the remaining games based on that talk sport interview today.
Not sure which lifer said it but I agree with them that perhaps TS knows this season is over and is waiting for the right manager to come along?
Even the most hardened optimist would struggle to see Bow pulling the rabbit out of that hat and us going on a run now.
Its just a bloody shame when the squad is good enough that it can't muster a push in what I think is an absolutely shocking league and ripe for taking....
Can't help feeling this is a very big missed opportunity.