Bolton Wanderers v Charlton AthleticTuesday 8 February 2022 | Kick-Off: 20:00Live on Charlton TV (UK included)
To purchase your live stream: https://charltonafcpayments.streamamg.com/account/register/step1 Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire) - previously officiated a Charlton match in March 2019 in our 1-1 draw away at Doncaster Rovers.Introduction
Three wins on the spin, a first goal for Famewo, new signings to be added to the mix, and a move up into the top half of the table, things suddenly look a lot brighter for Jackson's Addicks. When you put into context of where we were when he took over, an impressive 30 points have been accumulated in 16 league games - it begs the question that if the sacking of Adkins had come earlier, where we would be? Maybe no better off, but results do suggest otherwise. Arguably, he could and probably should have gone after the reverse fixture of our next opponents, Bolton Wanderers.
OppositionManager: Ian Evatt (43.9% win rate) | Stadium: University of Bolton StadiumLeague Position: 10th | Nickname(s): The Trotters, The WanderersLeague Form: LWWWWD
Bolton Wanderers travelled to Morecambe in their last league fixture, drawing 1-1. Their line up was:
Trafford
Aimson | Santos | Johnston
Fossey | Williams | Morley | John
Lee
Charles | Afolayan
Bolton's draw away at Morecambe was not without drama and huge talking points. Captain Santos was sent off for handball, handing Morecambe a penalty that was consequently saved. Stockton, who took the penalty, scored moments later though but the Bolton fans threw objects at Morecambe players and the trouble spilled elsewhere. It got so bad that the referee stopped play and brought everyone in for 10 minutes. However, it unfortunately got worse. Substitute Bakayoko was on the receiving end of racist abuse from so called Morecambe 'fans' but thankfully, he got the last laugh by scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 90+14 minute.
On other matters, the Trotters used the January window to really strengthen with 7 signings altogether, some going in what is a notoriously difficult window. The options they have at their disposal now is far stronger in depth than they had before. Charles signed from Accrington Stanley, Bödvarsson from Millwall, Sadlier from Rotherham, Dempsey from Gillingham, Morely from Rochdale, Fossey from Fulham on loan, and Trafford from Man City on loan. It makes it difficult to know how Bolton will fare as although their form has been very strong including that amazing 6-0 victory against Sunderland, it's almost a new team mid-way through the season. But make no mistake, even as new players still get to know each other, they are unbeaten at home since the middle of October and have only lost to the top 2 at home this season. Getting 3 points back to SE7 is gong to be a challenge.
Charlton Team News
With fixtures coming fast, we are now surely going to see a few changes to the side. Blackett-Taylor was brilliant against Portsmouth but unfortunately felt his hamstring early on against AFC Wimbledon, it's highly likely that he won't travel to the north west on this occasion but we can hope that he will be available to do the same trip just a few days later against Wigan. Jaiyesimi came on for him though and played out of his skin. The assist for Washington's goal was as good as you'll see this season.
Question marks remain as to whether Inniss can play games in such quick succession and being without the man mountain will be a huge loss as we have seen his attributes in both boxes recently. If Lavelle was match fit, I would prefer him to come in for Pearce as he's stronger in the air and Pearce had a torrid time against Charles last season, we aren't going to want a repeat of that. Up top you would assume that Aneke will drop to the bench ready to come back in on Saturday. If so, Burstow will start alongside Washington. Elsewhere, Fraser will be looking to make his first start since joining on deadline day. Who the creative midfielder comes in for though is a tough call.
Subs: Henderson, Inniss, Purrington, Fraser, Lee, Leko, AnekeA really tough game even after 3 wins on the spin. Confidence though will be high going into a game where the league positions are only separated by Bolton scoring 3 more goals than us this season. What's incredible is they have scored more than 2 in a game on 6 occasions, we have managed that only twice. The difference is we regularly score goals, just not many of them. The unbeaten run is set to continue on Tuesday, making it 5 as we cement our place in mid table... this is though, a fixture that I anticipate will be of two teams who make up the top 6 next season.
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Charlton Athletic
Washington
Comments
Said it yesterday, but hope we can show the same energetic type performance, we've looked leggy too often after playing a game of high intensity, so wont be overly surprised if its the same Tuesday.
Surprised that James Trafford has gone from Accrington to Bolton, although (until I just checked to avoid looking silly) I didnt think he'd been getting any game time at the former.
I feel like Fraser will come straight in, and as mentioned Burstow for Aneke is a likely change. Just so frustrating that Stockley is injured as rotating him and Aneke is ridiculous - though either way our squad depth feels very strong at the moment.
Tough game, but if we can somehow nick a win here it takes even more pressure of the Wigan game if we really want to do something miraculous this year.
DJ, I actually think is better on the left. He slows the game down too much and is too predictable on the right. On the left yesterday, because he’s also good with his left foot, he could keep them guessing more. Matthews I thought was solid enough yesterday. Purrington seems to potentially be 3rd or even 4th choice (if Castillo is fit) all of a sudden. I like him but I actually think we’ll move away from Purrington on the summer.
After nearly 30 games I am still not quite sure how good we really are. I don't think we are as bad as we have been in some games, even under Jackson, or as good as we have been in some others. I think if you take the best 5 and worse 5 performances out you get exactly what we are. A team that will beat the worst teams by a goal or two and get beat by the best ones by the odd goal.
We aren't far away from having a very good team, we aren't there yet though. I think Bolton are a bit like us run hot then cold.
A Desmond that does neither of us much good is my guess.
Fraser is the other one, but maybe again Jacko will bide his time with that and wait for the obvious moment.
Big game. As others have said, will be a good gauge of where we are at. IF we can win it, it gives us a free hit at Wigan at the weekend.
Nice preview thank you.
I predict another Tuesday night northern meltdown under the floodlights of Bolton.
Opposition teams now know exactly how to counter our predictable and rigid 5-3-2 system and despite the welcome wins, we are not playing much in the way of decent football.
Bolton 2-1 with Fraser to get a consolation late on.
a proper test of us
I think we’ve flattered to deceive against shit teams recently and the results have been the most important but the performances are not convincing to me and I believe we have a soft underbelly.
Win this and I’ll believe , I predict a draw or a loss funnily enough because I’m a miserable Cnut .
It's a 3-5-2 and there is nothing rigid about that formation. JJ calls it 3-5-2, I call the way we play 3-5-2, and anyone who has watched our games must notice it is 3-5-2.
When you have players like DJ and CBT as wing backs you are hardly playing 5 at the back. But it can convert to 5-3-2 if need be.
You must be gutted that we don't have 0-0 any more like the thriller against Sheffield Wednesday first up at the Valley under Adkins when he celebrated despite Cafc not having one shot on target. 25 clean sheets was Nigel's ambition, no talk of shots on goal.
One up front; crazy in League 1 for cafc, you get the odd freak result, like 6-0 at Plymouth but unless Morgan, Fraser, Lee or Gilbey all start scoring 10+ goals this season, forget it.
JJ record since picking the team at Sunderland:
Won 9 lost 4 Drawn 3 that is fantastic from 22nd place.
No chance of playoffs, because injuries to the spine of the team will see to that but great improvement to the results even though we defended so poorly at times on Saturday. Game management still needs to improve but I would prefer going up in 1st or 2nd place next season. I have great memories of two play off finals I don't need any more.
Will give a prediction when I know our team.
And relax.
Did Burstow touch the ball ?
He worked hard and ran around but when you don't have Chuks or Stockley as a central striker we lose a presences. If our final ball can be similar to DJ then Burstow and Conor can be your central strikers. But then you miss Jayden or Chuks defending and attacking set pieces. As well as being the battling Centre forwards/ Number 9's.
Did no one notice it was Aneke that won the header for DJ to make that Sublime pass ?
Chuks appeared to be blowing out of his arse on Saturday 2nd half but as he proved last season, a goal every 101 minutes is a good return ever if he hasn't emulated that on his return yet.
2-1 T'norverners
I just felt that in and around the box we lost the ability to apply pressure and suddenly looked like we weren't going to score. Aneke was bossing those defenders allowing Washington a lot more time and space. After he went off, Washington was a lot more closely guarded and was forced to do far more work by the touchline instead of through the middle.
Oxford away at Accrington and Wycombe at home to Shrewsbury
Bowyer - it was the diamonds fault.
Akins - 433/4231 doesn't work.
Jackson - 352 is rigid, turgid and any other negative adjective.
Part of me wants us to play a flat 442 in the last 5 games for no other reason that to shut everyone up about it. It's 2022 not 1992. There is a reason no one plays it. You need 3 central midfielders in the modern game.
Even Neil Warnock worked that out in the end and played 3 at the back, so he could get two strikers in. For the first time in his career. He was over 70.
Players have to play well in any formation or it breaks down. We have the energy midfield now but we still need better control which hopefully Fraser can give Cafc as he gets match fit as he didn't seem to play much at Ipswich after being put out wide on the left.
The dozen or so CL members who have tried difference formations as Manager's/ coaches know only too well whether kids football or adults you need decent players with a football brain to carry it out; and luck!