Charlton Athletic v Cheltenham TownSaturday 11th September 2021 ... 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Andy Davies (Hampshire)IntroductionIn typical fashion the first Charlton victory of the season ended up coming the week before an International break, its meant that we'll have to wait until 5pm this coming Saturday to see if any momentum was gained from the win against Crewe Alexandra. Although its perhaps a sign of how League One Football has progressed, the fact that all but four games got called off due to International matters... Yet we finally return to match action this coming weekend: Cheltenham Town, the League Two Champions head to SE7 for a first encounter at the Valley between these two sides.
The OppositionName: Cheltenham Town (16th) |
Manager: Mike Duff
Ground: Whaddon Road
Last Meeting: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Charlton Athletic
It will be a surprise to some that the Addicks have faced Cheltenham in a competitive encounter - The year was 2016 and the Robins found themselves back in the Football League after a year in the Conference, and the League Cup 1st round would see them pitted against a Charlton Athletic who were newly back in League One themselves... Harry Pell (once of our Academy) would score the sole goal of the game, so ensuring there wouldnt be a shock on the cards given our historic record in said competition.
Cheltenham have gone from strength to strength since that Tuesday evening, finally earning promotion from League Two after a five year spell, this their first spell at this level since 2008/09.
When you perhaps take a look at their Manager its no surprise they've managed promotion, after all Mike Duff is the stuff of legends for fans of Championship Manager, and having been reliable in so many careers on PC and Laptop, its perhaps no surprise that he'd be destined for a career in management. In real life and Duff returned to manage at the club where he began his career and has certainly adapted well to League One Football, the Robins sole win coming at home against Ipswich Town.
Yet its worth remembering back to last season, this is a Cheltenham team that almost shocked Manchester City in the FA Cup, and certainly try to play Football themselves rather than hitting it long - Defeat for the Addicks on Saturday afternoon, and there can be no going back to an old save state and trying again.
Perhaps Addicks to Victory will be a better intro song this Saturday, we dont want our visitors getting too comfortable?
Charlton Team NewsArter months of concern amongst the Charlton fans we entered the final few days of the Transfer Window wondering if the squad would be strengthened... Sudden-Lee we found ourselves at Deadline Day and by the time the window slammed shut we all thought it had been nothing short of a marv-Levelle-ous window.
Unfortunately Left-Back remained a Souare spot with fans a little disappointed that we were unable to bring in backup to Ben Purrington (who could potentially return to the squad himself this Saturday), but even that got resolved in the end.
Now if only I remember the names of those who signed?
MacGillivray
Matthews - Lavelle - Famewo - Purrington
Jaiyesimi - Watson - Morgan - Kirk
Stockley - Washington
Substitutes Bench: Henderson - Elewere - Pearce - Arter - Clare - Leko - Lee
PredictionFull time against Crewe Alexandra two weeks ago showed a massive sign of improvement compared with previous games already this season, but a victory against a depleted Crewe team is certainly no measure of how our season will go, just as its impossible to compare an early season defeat at Milton Keynes. No disrespect is meant towards the teams at this level, but the standard of Crewe and Cheltenham potentially make up 10-16 teams at this level. Should we want to win promotion, then these games must be won, failure to do so (and it will happen occasionally) and those other eight teams will be even harder to beat.
Comments
(puts on the snobbery hat) this is a proper “can’t believe this is a league fixture” match
Nice to have some options, although a few of the newbies we need to probably give them a bit of time to settle or get up to fitness. I think Gunter will play too, Purrington on the bench.
2-0 Charlton Kirk, Stockley
Matthews
Innis
Famewo
Gunter
DJ
Watson
Morgan
Kirk
Lee
Stockley
Subs: Henderson, Purrington, Lavelle, Leko, Arter, Washington, Davison
Let’s have back to back home wins to really kick start our season.
We have a strong squad. I do feel having 2 players who can only play one position on the bench is overkill and we won't see Elewere and Pearce too often. Having Gunter there makes more sense as he can cover RB/LB.
There are question marks about the fitness of several players (Purrington, Innis and Arter) plus we have had players away for the international break - will Washington and Gunter play tonight? Plus we have a glut of midfield and wide options.
Will say 2-1 win. Possibly from a Golfie.
If he's consistent in his selection pattern, Adkins will not start many newcomers. It seems he likes to give the new faces time to settle in.
Pretty much the side that beat Crewe with a couple of newbies making cameo appearances towards the end of the game
CAFC 2 v Cheltenham Town 0
MacGillivray
Matthews - Innis - Famewo - Gunter
Watson - Clare
DJ - Lee - Kirk
Stockley
Okay team and we should win without much trouble.
Reckon the new signings will be given a bit of time to ease in rather than first game back.
MacGillivray
Matthews - Innis - Famewo - Purrington
Watson - Morgan
DJ - Lee - Kirk
Stockley
Clean sheet number 3, Kirk off the mark and a brace from Stockley.
Just getting on the bench will be a challenge with the squad depth we now have
However this is Charlton and things are rarely as straightforward as they can be. Would love a clinical 3-0 but always fear there is a sting in the tail with a game like this.
Matthews Innis Famewo Gunter
Arter Morgan
Stockley
Subs: Henderson Lavelle Purrington Clare Blackett-Taylor Leko Washington
4-1 Stockley, Lee, Kirk & Leko
This season we are in the position that if things are not working we can broing on potential game changers.
Except at centre forward