Charlton Athletic v Ipswich TownTuesday 7 December | Kick-Off: 19:45Live on Charlton TV (UK included) Referee: Christopher Sarginson - Previously officiated Charlton at home to Doncaster in the 2nd Round of The FA Cup in 2018, losing 2-0. Last in the league was at home to Shrewsbury in 2018, losing 2-0.Introduction
Charlton return to home soil on Tuesday evening after going on a tour of the north, racking up over an incredible 1500 miles along the way. Results in the league during that time didn't quite go to plan for Jackson and the players, but they finished up nicely live on TV against Gateshead on Friday evening to put us in the hat for the third round draw of The FA Cup. The first time in 10 years when outside the top two tiers of English football. Returning to The Valley is not only the team, but hopefully many of the supporters who cheered the Addicks To Victory against Plymouth (there you go, Thomas). The fantastic initiative to #FillTheValley last month is being repeated again in our two home fixtures this side of Christmas. First up, Ipswich Town.
OppositionManager... Less (Caretaker TBC, likely to be Kieron Dyer) | Stadium: Portman RoadLeague Position: 11th | Nickname(s): The Tractor BoysLeague Form: LWDLLWIpswich Town played at home in The FA Cup to Barrow on Saturday, drawing 0-0, their line up was:
Walton
Donacien | Nsiala | Burgess | Clements
Morsy | El Mizouni
Jackson | Chaplin | Fraser
Bonne
The Tractor Boys sacked Paul Cook on Saturday evening after drawing against League Two Barrow in The FA Cup. However, it seems as though that was the final straw that broke the camels back. After a complete rebuild during the summer where Ipswich signed 19 new players, the job at hand for Cook was a tough one. Molding a squad together to get everyone firing on all cylinders isn't easy... unless you're name is Chris Powell. The players signed by the Suffolk club were the pick of the bunch, many either being classed as top end League One and others dropping down a level in the aim to get the club promoted. Two of those players signed include two former Charlton strikers, Joe Pigott and Macauley Bonne; it's the latter who has been playing and scoring so far this season. 11 in 19 exhibits his danger at this level and will be a test for any of the three defenders who come up against him. Elsewhere, Ipswich have an array of talent, possibly even too much that Cook couldn't quite find the right ingredients to piece together something beautiful. Scott Fraser totally ran the game at The Valley for Milton Keynes only 12 months ago, Conor Chaplin scored for fun as Barnsley won promotion in 2019, and they have others in reserve too. Rekeem Harper is a very tidy central midfielder signed from West Brom, and Louie Barry, a youngster on loan from Aston Villa, have both struggled for game time this season. Barry started his career at West Brom before joining Barcelona. It didn't quite work out in the famous La Masia academy in Catalonia, but a return to the midlands meant The Villans picked up a top talent. Promotion will be the main aim for Ipswich, and a strong run in the second half of the season, if whoever their new manager will be can get them clicking, they'll be a frightening team at this level.
Charlton Team News
Jason Pearce and Ryan Inniss return to full training tomorrow so options at the heart of defence will be much improved soon, something Jackson hasn't had the luxury of having at all during his reign. Other injury news looks as though everyone who has been available recently well, continue to be. With Stockley back involved in the squad and scoring 11 in his last 11 in all competitions, the way we have set up really plays to his strengths with crosses going into the box and players getting close to him. You can only see that impressive record continuing.
With the game on Friday evening, it gave the players that extra few hours rest so you would anticipate that if Jackson can name an unchanged team he will. However, players like Leko will be pushing to start in front of DJ and the experienced Gunter may come in for young Deji Elerewe to combat against Bonne. There will be a few decisions the management team will have to make tomorrow.
Subs: Henderson, Gunter, Watson, Morgan, Blackett-Taylor, Leko, DavisonThis could be the perfect time to play Ipswich as without a manager, and without the announcement as yet of who will be taking the team, they aren't going to be as well prepared for us as we will be for them. However, as we all know, football doesn't quite work like that and given the talent they have in abundance, The Tractor Boys could come to town ready to mow us down. In front of a busy Valley and Jackson close to being announced as permanent manager, I back us to get the better of them and win our first midweek home league game in front of a crowd since 12th March 2019. Incredible.
Charlton Athletic 2-0 Ipswich Town
Washington
Stockley
Comments
I'm going for a close 2-1, but Jacko should "have it in the bag" whatever the result, insult he has been kept dangling this long...
It’s late after a long weekend. Can’t be arsed to change the graphic though, to be perfectly honest.
Improve and we might snatch a draw
as you were and Ipswich will roll us over .
However with Stockley and Washington up top you have to imagine we will be giving them plenty of trouble as well.
I’m going for a big 3-2 for the addicks.
Great Preview though @Sage - Were you forced to rewrite any of it after Paul Cook got sacked?
I honestly dont like the from the Ipswich players towards this sacking - Doesnt sound like they were unhappy under Cook and dont quite agree with it - Wonder if we'll see increased effort from them as a result.
Not in terms of Jacko getting the job or not, I think it would take some sort of catastrophic event to stop that now. 7 points from these 3 games and we get to Xmas in touching distance of the play offs.
Could shape the January transfer window, remember we ditched 5 players signed or resigned in the summer last January.
Playing Elerewe would be risky, but Bonne is not a giant striker so it might work.
If Piggott is up front for them it would be a different matter. I guess JJ has to gamble that our attacking half is so strong we can defend from the front. Otherwise I might be tempted to go for a flat back four with Purrington at left back.
Have to imagine with Pearce being back there will be less gaps for the opposition strikers to work through.
Surely the point is that one wingback is a defender, the other is a winger?
The defender wingback drops back to make a 4th defender backline, as required. That's where Purrington as a wingback earns his salt, as an experienced specialist defender.
Playing wingers like DJ and Leko together, one on each side, could leave us defensively open and vulnerable.
Only a risk worth taking if it's late on and we're chasing the game.