Charlton Athletic vs Doncaster RoversSaturday 30th October 2021 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Tim RobinsonIntroductionThe reign of Johnnie Jackson may still be that of a temporary one, yet he surely increased his own prospects of securing a long term contract, of course we shouldnt get carried away with the performance in the North East , it surely created some much needed confidence around Sparrows Lane. Its rumoured that Lee Johnson is now looking into getting Steve Brown sent off from the 1998 Play-Off Final, yet whilst he does that, we can now look forward ourselves to what'll be a huge six-pointer of a "relegation" battle as we welcome Doncaster Rovers back to the Valley.
The OppositionName: Doncaster Rovers (23rd) | Manager: Richie WellensGround: Keepmoat StadiumPrevious Meeting: Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Charlton AthleticThere is something about Doncaster, Sunderland and now a change of Charlton Management that seem to go hand in hand - Around this time last season, this is almost the third time in successive seasons where we've faced the two sides in succession, 2019 we all know about, whilst last term they were separated by Lincoln City in September / October... We then of course had the beauty of witnessing Nigel Adkins' first official runout in the dugout as an Ian Maatsen goal would continue our late, yet futile charge towards the Play-Offs.
Doncaster that sunny April afternoon were without doubt dangerous, but it was clear that they lacked the fire power to keep up their fading hopes of a finish in the top six - Darren Moore departing to Sheffield Wednesday and the reliance of goals from Omar Bogle meant that Donny ultimately finished poorly and had to settle for 14th spot.
The summer would see a Managerial shake up with Richie Wellens incoming from Salford City, the Manager has had a mediocre time in Management so far, so a return to League Two could well be possible for our opponents this Saturday. Naturally scoring goals has been an issue this term and along with Crewe have the lowest in the league to date; Tommy Rowe (who missed the decisive penalty against the Addicks on that famous evening) is back after a spell with Bristol City and is top scorer with three goals.
Doncaster though shouldnt be underestimated, they only managed a draw with Cambridge on Tuesday night yet created plenty of chances, their issues appear to involve taking those opportunities when they come.
The strong defensive display we saw at the Stadium of Light could well be needed once more this Saturday.
Charlton Team NewsSo does Jackson stick with the team that rewarded him with such an impressive display last Saturday, or does he continue to mold the team in his image - Fortunately for both him and Jason Euell, he'll have had a full week preparing for this match (rather than just a few days) so we'll hopefully see even greater improvement on the pitch.
Tactically we saw a surprise change in the team with Jonathan Leko operating at Wing-Back and Adam Matthews operating in the heart of the defence for the very first time - Of course there should be at least one change with Jason Pearce no doubt coming in for the injured: Sam Lavelle... For others, well the bar got set against Sunderland so if others want a chance to impress, they'll need to be knocking very loudly at the Managers door
Even then they may not receive an answer!!
MacGillivray
Matthews - Pearce - Famewo
Leko - Dobson - Gilbey - Purrington
Lee
Stockley - Washington
Substitutes Bench: Henderson - Souare - Jaiyesimi - Blackett-Taylor - Davison - Watson - Clare
PredictionWe've seen it before with Caretaker Managers that they can show signs of decent displays, but struggle when given the job on a permanent basis, after all when you look at Kevin Nugent's efforts away from the Valley you'd realise that he was never a realistic figure to take permanent charge - Johnnie Jackson may well be no different, he could on the other hand be the next Alan Curbishley or Chris Powell.
Without a few games we'll never know if thats potentially the case.
But then if clubs always took the safe / experienced option, then some of the world's greatest Managers and Players would never have been given their own opportunity to stamp their mark on the history of the game.
Comments
expect him to play an entertaining 4-4-2 instead of that dross that Adkins was serving up.
BUT I find myself surprisingly confident that we might of found a method of playing like a team with players that actually give a shit.
3-1 and another helping of Jackon humble pie for me.
A clean sheet win yet again for what can only be described come 5pm as the resurgent Addicks. The atmosphere is going to be great at the start and let’s hope the players give the crowd something to continue shouting about. Under Jackson, I am sure they’re going to be right up for it.
Unchanged (other than Pearce in for Lavelle) because no one else has the right to be knocking on Jacko’s door ahead of this weekend. Work hard in training and show willing to fight and they’ll soon be included.
Elewere to be on the bench is the change to the squad that I believe we are likely to see, especially if we continue with the formation we had at Sunderland. And why wouldn’t you? Not sure when Arter is going to be back but he could maybe be on the bench if he is fit enough.
Work harder than them, battle harder than them, run further and harder than them, and our quality will come through.
Make no mistake, Doncaster will be right up for this as they’re now 2 unbeaten and know the importance of this game. However, they’re a poor side and have lost every away game this season, scoring only twice. Following up from Sunderland with 3 points here is a must.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Stockley
Lee
However I can’t remember the last time we’ve put on a convincing home performance against ‘weaker’ opposition. I want to see us pretty much dominate from first to last, and leave with another clean sheet win.
So was our victory at Sunderland a one off or was it the start of a winning run to push us up the league.
We are about to find out.
With a larger than usual crowd getting behind the manager team I'm expecting to see a much improved performance and three very much needed points coming our way.
3.1 Charlton and hopefully better times ahead.
Optimism rises.
First steps to a top half finish.
So a 1-1 draw is inevitable with a cloud of uncertainty enveloping us for another few days until we Roger Rotherham.
Scratch that.
Rip roaring 3-0 home win with crowd management and players all on top form.
Agree with the team selection and I am looking forward to us playing some more attractive football and hopefully running out 3-0 winners or something like that.
The other thing you have to take into account is that the crowd will be up for it. It won’t be anywhere near like the atmosphere against Accrington and that will boost the players
2-1 Charlton - Washington & Lavelle
Why are ye fearful, oh ye of little faith?
I tell you now, Saint Jonny of Jacksonville is the new messiah as foretold by the prophets and written on tablets of stone by Saint Keith of Peacock and the ancient scribes.
The perished people of the red valley will ask what kind of man is this? – even that useless squad of lightweight wingers, geriatrics and journeymen obeys him.
Saint Nigel of Nowhere was truly a false prophet and now the glory days will come again to the Red Valley. Floyd Road will flow like a red river of people singing our ancient hymns of praise with hearts full of joy and bellies full of real ale and double burgers with all the trimmings. They will dance and rejoice like the old days of the one true Lord (Curbs) and his appointed one, Saint Christopher.
The cursed plague of the Belgian loon and his evil stepdaughter which brought only tears and the gnashing of teeth to SE7 will be gone forever.
The wicked northern heathen warriors of Doncaster will be put to the sword (3-0) and an unbeaten march to glory will commence ending with a great battle at the mighty fortress of Wembley. The mighty Addicks will win in the play-offs against their oldest foe (Sunderland) and once again take their rightful place in the land of milk and honey (mid-table in the Championship).
This is the word of the Lord (Curbs.)
Amen
0-0
Heart says win, but I predict a score draw, 1-1 reckon. We score first and they peg us back late, although another good performance still keeps the JJ support flowing and renewed calls for his promotion to Manager without the caveats.
Departs Charlton 5pm Saturday night!
Even under Adkins we beat Crewe and Fleetwood so we should really win this game.