Competition: Papa John's Trophy Quarter Final
Opposition: Hartlepool United
Location: The Suit Direct Stadium (Victoria Park)
Introduction14th in League One. Out of the FA Cup. 13 points from the playoffs. An occasional nervous glance over the shoulder at the bottom four. We've already lost as many games as we did last season, where we missed out on the playoffs on goal difference. Even some of the more optimistic fans are wanting the season to be over, planning the clear out and highlighting positions to strengthen in the summer.
But wait a minute... what's that twinkling light in the gloomy skies of 2021/22? ... A cup quarter final..! Turn those frowns upside down and jump on the good ship HMS Piss the PJT, all the way to Hartlepool.
With Wembley just 2 wins away, we should field a strong side for this one. There's a 6 day gap before the next league game, and plenty of time for rest.
Papa John's Trophy Quarter Finals:
Tuesday 25th January
Wigan vs Arsenal u-21
Rotherham vs Cambridge
Hartlepool vs Charlton
Sutton vs Harrogate
The Opposition
Hartlepool United
Nickname - Monkey Hangers
Formed - 1908
Current League Position - 16th (English League Two)
Manager - Graeme Lee
Captain - Nicky Featherstone
Top Goalscorer - Matty Daly* (7 goals), Mark Cullen (6 goals)
Manager Lee was left bemoaning a lack of finishers at the club following their 1-1 draw on Saturday. In fact they've only won 1 league game in the last 3 months. During this time, they've been performing miracles in the knockout round of cups.
In the FA Cup, they've knocked out League One Lincoln and Wycombe, before dispatching Championship Blackpool in the Third Round. They've been rewarded with a 4th round tie at S***urst Park. In the PJT they've beaten Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton to set up Tuesday's night game with us.
The Hartlepool squad contains one former Addick. Winger Jordan Cook signed for Charlton in the summer of 2012, making just 10 league appearances in his 2 season, before moving on to Walsall and has spent his career in the lower leagues.
*Matty Daly had scored 5 goals in the PJT for Hartlepool this year, but was recalled by parent club Huddersfield last week, to be sent out to Bradford instead.Team NewsWith usual PJT stopper Nathan Harness going out on loan to Dulwich Hamlet, McGillivray may start in goal after missing a couple of recent games.
Loanee Juan Castillo won't join his new teammates in training until Monday, so its unlikely he will start this one, but may be good for a place on the bench.
With a large squad and 5 subs available on the night, I'm more clueless than ever on this one. Gilbey, Purrington and Leko should come in after only making the bench on Saturday. Sam Lavelle has played twice for the under 23s so it would make sense for him to continue his recovery and return in this one, but not sure how that effects the balance of the back 3.
Other than that, the only 2 players I would be very surprised to see start are Aneke and Inniss.
My predicted team:
Prediction3-1 to Charlton and the unexpected excitement of a semi.
Comments
I’ve written a short article about QF experiences since 1994 here:
https://www.castrust.org/2022/01/desperately-seeking-a-cup-semi-final/
Wembley? You never know.
Let's hope our hardy travellers are rewarded on Tuesday with a victory and that elusive passage into a semi-final. I think our only quarter-final win in my lifetime was on penalties at Goodison Park in 1987 in the late and unlamented Full Members Cup.
COYR
COYR
Superb preview. I had no idea they were called the Monkey Hangers but having been to Hartlepool a few times I can guess why.
When I got out of my car the first time, I remember thinking I must have stumbled on to the film set for a remake of Mad Max.
At least they have a Tory MP now so that will help them. Poor sods.
Hope they win. They need cheering up and this is all a waste of time anyway except for the previews of course.
We will lose on penalties after a tortuous display of ineptitude in sub-zero temperatures.
Could be a dodgy one but fancy us to see it through.
2-0 Charlton. Burstow and Gilbey
I don’t think Dobson will be involved, expect Watson to start and Aaron Henry to be called up to replace Watson on the bench.
Will the Players be up for it ?
Will CAFC fans/critics realize that the Papa John's is a worthy successor to watching Johnston's paint dry ?
Will Terry Smith on Charlton TV contest every free kick given or not Shay Given ?
The days of beating Chelsea at the Bridge are over, (no shit Sherlock) this is our European Champions League quarter final.
Bravo to the fans going, you will be able to tell your grandchildren you were there, just like I will one day after being at the full members cup game against Bradford at Selhurst with 816 others; 10k insist they were there but they are mistaken.
Monkey hangers 1 Charlton Athletic 4
Have a slice of the action.
I will be watching from afar on Charlton TV.
COYR
If we do win and draw a home semi-final, it would be interesting to see how many would turn up. There are plenty who are "meh" about this cup and wont bother until the final if we got there so that would be a big factor. Probably about what we get for a league game I reckon, unless TS does another free ticket push, not sure if the EFL would allow that though.
I think I would play Watson instead of Dobson. Only because he is so important that I would not want him getting injured in this game.
May even play Davison up front for Barstow for same reason.