Doncaster Rovers v Charlton AthleticGood Friday … 12:30pm Kick-OffReferee: Marc EdwardsReferee; Marc Edwards has taken charge of one Charlton game this season, the early season fixture at Lincoln City where he ended up making a number of dubious decisions that led to a penalty in a 2-0 home winIntroductionCharlton finally return to league action this coming Friday, it’s only been two weeks since our last fixture (an unimpressive encounter at AFC Wimbledon) yet it feels an eternity after the International break halted our proceedings… Elsewhere and rivals have appeared incapable of taking advantage of their extra games which leaves us with a sliver of hope. The Addicks along with the SKY cameras will make the trip up to Doncaster this Friday, this is it, the run in we’ve spoken about for so long is finally here.
A season is a marathon, but even in that type of event, there is always a sprint finish!!
The OppositionName: Doncaster Rovers (7th) |
Interim Manager: Andy Butler
Ground: Keepmoat Stadium
Previous Meeting: Charlton Athletic 1-3 Doncaster Rovers
If fans had to pick a memorable away ground from recent years then you’d expect the Keepmoat Stadium to be right up there – Two years ago we visited on a warm May afternoon (Yup the SKY cameras where there too) and it turned out to be the beginning of a few weeks in dreamland, that and the scene of a few limbs flying everywhere in jubilation.
Doncaster have of course remained in League One but have always been a constant promotion threat, on an equally warm September afternoon last year; Donny visited South East London and proceeded to ruin what was a party with Thomas Sandgaard on the verge of his takeover, and what was a rare afternoon with fans inside the Valley itself.
On the face of it; Donny have probably been the most impressive team that we’ve faced this season and personally are the one team I’d have predicted for the automatics… COVID has created a false table, and given sides like Doncaster too much to do come the business end of the season, combined with the surprise exit of Darren Moore to Sheffield Wednesday and it appears our opponents this Friday are in freefall.
Both sides will be certainly looking for a result that will see them jump (however briefly) into the Play-Offs.
Charlton Team NewsThe fixture against AFC Wimbledon of course gave us little to go by; Nigel Adkins had only been in the job for a few days so no doubt the team selection was primarily left to assistant (and brief stand in) manager: Johnnie Jackson.
This two week break will have come at the right time, Adkins has had a clear opportunity to work with his players and will have had the friendly against Brentford ‘B’ to see what some of the squad players can offer – The likes of Adam Matthews, Alex Gilbey and Ryan Inniss are now back in contention, whilst both Chris Gunter and Liam Millar return from International duty without any injury concerns.
Unless anything else is revealed in the Press Conference it leaves Conor Washington as our sole absentee
Amos
Gunter - Famewo - Pearce - Maatsen
Shinnie - Forster-Caskey
Millar - Morgan - Jaiyesimi
Stockley
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer – Inniss – Oshilaja – Pratley – Gilbey – Schwartz – Aneke
PredictionYeah sod trying to predict this one; I’ll leave it up to you lot to do that one
Early last month I predicted that we needed six points from Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers to stay in contention for the Play-Offs yet only got the four – It’s been a season where inconsistency has been the name of the game across the division; the Football League staying true to reputation, leaving it impossible to predict who will go up or down. Our rivals have stupidly allowed us to remain in the mix, these last nine games are an opportunity to see if we can take advantage of that kind gift.
Comments
Prediction 2-2
Gunter - Famewo - Pearce - Purrington
Morgan - F.Caskey- Shinnie - Millar
Aneke - Schwartz
Subs: M.Brewer, Inniss, Oshilaja, Maatsen, Gilbey, Jaiyesimi, Stockley
I'll be interested to see if there's any lineup changes or a change to the style of play.
Looking forward to it
I've never flown it so dont know if its a difference but wonder if he's either flown first class or whether Canada have put on a private jet for half the squad (eleven of them came from European teams) so it firstly reduces the potential COVID interaction between other travellers and secondly reduces the issue of jetlag as flying in more comfort.
Any other characteristics missing from this squad?
We have the owner of our dreams and I now believe an inspired choice of manager.
I'm just doubtful that this group has what it takes to achieve the desired goal in this run-in.
But perhaps I underestimate what Nigel is capable of in getting an immediate improvement and inspiring and motivating this inconsistent and brittle bunch.
Whatever has gone before, he and they have a free shot at promotion now and I am excited to see how we go.
Confident of a victory here. 2-0 to us
COYR!
This is the start of a new era a nd I expect to see changes from our last game as Adkins starts to put his mark on the team.
I still believe it is too late to make the playoffs but these remaining 9 games gives him a chance to properly assess the players at his disposal.
2.1 Charlton and the new era begins.
Gunter - Famewo - Pearce - Maatsen
Shinnie - Forster-Caskey
Millar - Morgan - Jaiyesimi
Stockley
good idea to start with 12
on a serious note, I'm actually quite confident about this one - think we are in for an exciting end to the season
1-2 Millar and Aneke
I think the result is very difficult to predict. I was at the home match; Donny totally dominated and looked like an excellent, well balanced side. But they haven’t done so well recently having lost both form, and their manager Darren Moore, (not necessarily in that order).
If I was forced to pick a winner I’d probably go with my heart over my head and say Charlton by a single goal.
Looking forward to this one, it'll be the first night game at a reasonable hour for me: on at 7:30pm Hong Kong time!
Should have seen the smoke coming out of my ears as I tried to work it out
Let's hope so. Have to be confident, otherwise the season will fizz out... 1-0 win, JFC with the goal.
The most "must win" game of the season.
New positive manger bounce.
It's going to be a very Good Friday.
our players have had a nice rest and have had time to get to know Adkins and for him to get to know them ..
Donny are in dire form having lost their manager Moore (as writ above) to the Owls and their main man Ben Whiteman to P N E
Let's pray we are not hit by a dose of Bogleitis and that Donny don't suddenly find some good form. They usually try to play good football and are the kind of team we do well against, if only just
Pity there are no spectators as Donny Keepmoat is one of my favourite L 1 grounds and as things go, they are a mere 60 miles(ish) from my house, almost a home game for me
Doncaster Rovers 0 v CAFC 2
Lincoln being postponed means that we'll have 8 days before the next match, making the win all the more crucial
I think we might get a draw on Friday. Maybe 1-1
Part of me is also hoping we qualify ourselves out of the play offs as quickly as possible. I know that sounds negative and quite a dour stance to take, but this season’s been long and hard and frustrating. I know we should be grateful for a club and stability, but something about this team as wound me up this season. The football has been turgid and I am sure Covid has amplified it, but I’ve been fed up watching them. I don’t know why but I’ve been irritated by just about everything. The blinkered punditry on Valley Pass, the home form, conceding stupid goals. I’m all just a bit done with it now
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/nothing-to-lose-charlton-athletic-boss-nigel-adkins-has-positive-message-ahead-of-league-one-run-in/
Amos
Gunter, Famewo, Pearce, Maatsen
Morgan, JFC, Shinnie
DJ, Aneke, Millar
Slightly early for Innis I reckon.
Midfield trio improving.
No reason for Aneke not to start it’s been two weeks.
A simply massive game which we cannot lose, unfortunately I think it’ll be a well played out draw, 1-1 Aneke.