Charlton Athletic v Wigan AthleticSaturday 21st August 2021 ... 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Craig HicksIntroductionThe Addicks return to the Valley for the second time this season in what is turning out to be desperate need of a win, if not to make the early league table look better, but at the very least to install some confidence into this new look Charlton team. Wigan Athletic are the visitors to SE7 this weekend in what'll be another difficult game for the Addicks, there will certainly be hope amongst the faithful that we can record a first three points of the season, and so stop the table from looking like an evening at Eurovision for the United Kingdom.
We might be used to nil poi on this island.
But it'll be difficult to accept as Charlton fans in League One if it begins to happen on a regular basis.
The OppositionName: Wigan Athletic (14th) |
Manager: Leam Richardson
Ground: DW Stadium
Previous Meeting: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Charlton Athletic
For those with "Athletic" in their name it seems that there is a requirement in recent seasons for bad ownership with arguably unfair outcomes, especially for the fans at the very least. Both Charlton and Wigan of course found themselves relegated from the Championship at the same time, and for the latter it must have been even more difficult to take when they did such a good job of hauling themselves into mid-table safety.
Returning to League One, life for Wigan wasnt easy by any means and over the course of the short summer they'd be forced to watch as senior players (understandably) decided to find pastures new. It was argued that Administrators were making life difficult for buyers, and at one stage there was even rumour that previous Charlton "associates" were looking to get their paws on another English club. Thankfully those rumours didnt materialise and the Latics would be rescued by what appears to be genuine investment from the Middle East, especially after our own hopes from that region ended in the most bizarre of rants.
Naturally for Wigan, having lost so many senior players there would be a need to dip largely into the transfer market this summer and is unsurprising that its something we've seen. Both Ben Amos and Jordan Cousins will potentially return to familiar surroundings this Saturday, whilst any defensive slip ups that we've seen from the Addicks of late will surely be gratefully received by the experience of Charlie Wyke (top scorer at this level last season), Stephen Humphrys (signed from Rochdale) or Gwion Edwards who should be the main danger from midfield.
As for the Manager; Richardson is still largely inexperienced.
But as we saw from Manning last night, if you can get your ideas on to the players, you stand a chance.
Charlton Team NewsWith such a shallow squad, there unfortunately cant be many changes despite what is an early run of bad form - In some ways its perhaps not a bad thing as it will give the players a chance to play themselves into some kind of form. But equally as Lee Bowyer confessed last season, a shallow squad can be dangerous in the sense that players become too comfortable and too relaxed on the pitch as they know there is no one else good enough to replace them.
In some ways you could equally say its a harsh assessment, there have been times against both Oxford and Milton Keynes where we've played decent football, things could have been so different had Conor Washington or Jayden Stockley converted opportunities in both games, but sadly wasnt to be - What the players do need to learn though is that the ball doesnt become some feared object the most we go behind, there will be a number of occasions this season where we'll probably find ourselves up against adversity again, but the inability to overcome that and achieve a "Golfie" over the last few years is a big concern.
MacGillivray
Matthews - Inniss - Famewo - Gunter
Clare - Dobson
Jaiyesimi - Morgan - Kirk
Stockley
Substitutes Bench: Harness - Elewere - Pearce - Watson - Clayden - Washington - Davison
PredictionAs we've seen from the last two away fixtures, scoring that first goal is oh so important - Unfortunately as we saw on Tuesday night, hanging on to the lead for a decent period is equally important and something we certainly need to better (along with a great number of things) after the trip to Milton Keynes. It was mentioned last night that we only lost four away games all season, having lost two already this term is a sign that Fort Valley must become a daunting place for visiting teams if we want this season to turn into anything.
Comments
Amos will make some great saves, MacGillvray won't
Cousins will beat up our midfield.
Wyke will score and show what a League 1 striker should be like.
James McClean: Republic of Ireland winger returns to Wigan after ending Stoke stint
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58255107Havent done for a couple of seasons as I will always refuse to predict a Charlton defeat
Consider me our version of Mark Lawrenson
Adkins needs to make changes to freshen up a side that looks stale after just a handful of games, But I doubt that he will make many
Elewere, Kirk, Davison all deserve a start .. but our main problem is in midfield and the cupboard is pretty empty there apart from the three who have played so far .. I am also concerned about the defence, Elewere made a decent appearance yesterday and should start.. but will he ? .. I have little faith in Adkins a t m, but to be fair to him (begrudgingly) his squad is so thin as to be anorexic .. however his tactical nous and decision making lack credibility .. we need a win against fellow Athletics, they are a decent side even though their results so far are far from convincing
CAFC 2 v Wigan Athletic 1
1-3
Charlton 0 Wigan 3
Wigan have strengthened a side that is already better than us:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58255107
Next.
My only consolation is that it is not a season ticket this year.
They'll beat us 2-0.
Doubt Washington will make the squad, he’ll be assessed and it’ll come too soon. Hope he’s back for Crewe. It will be criminal if we fail to sign anyone prior to Saturday.
It’s my birthday on Saturday and I would like us to be positive in this game.
That’s all I got right now after the start to the season.
Kirk to score on his home debut.
2-1 Charlton
Call me crazy, I gotta be.