Charlton Athletic vs Derby CountySaturday 6th August 2022 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Chris PollardIntroductionWell we're underway, the first of forty six games is done and dusted, we've now got another mammoth season to look forward to - Charlton travelled to Accrington knowing it was going to be a tough venue, and should have returned to SE7 with all three points... It wasn't to be though, once again we snatched a draw from the jaws of victory, conceding a late (but perhaps deserved) equaliser at the death - Its time though to mark the start of a new campaign at the Valley, with newly relegated: Derby County our first visitors to our small corner of London.
The Opposition: Derby County (6th) | Interim Manager: Liam RoseniorPrevious Result: Derby County 1-0 Oxford UnitedGround: Pride Park The Derby Fans:
"Game really changed when Rosenior brought on Sibley" - "was the final piece of the puzzle required to break down Oxford, who couldn't match his energy" - "Very difficult / dogged game, typical 1-0 performance."The Opposing Manager:
"A lack of attention to detail, in small moments cost Oxford, lose that concentration against good players, they will punish you - The goal was a wonderful finish, but what do you expect... He's a Premier League player"The Situation: Lets be honest here, Derby County are extremely lucky to be taking part in any form of Football this season, for the last year their situation has been pretty bleak, and for large periods looked very likely to be heading the way of Bury FC - Especially when you take into account the likes of Matt Southall and friends who were sniffing around the club.. New (local) owners have come in though, perhaps at the right time, and have signed eleven players (including the dangerous: Conor Hourihane) in just one month, all without a penny being spent on Transfer Fees.
Focus On... Liam Rosenior: I mean we all know his Dad dont we... Leroy Rosenior is famous for being Torquay Manager for just ten minutes. His Son equally had a good career as a player, and has now made the step up taking interim charge, going from SKY pundit / Derby Assistant Manager, what with Wayne Rooney returning Stateside... Liam has certainly made an impressive start, a 1-0 win on the opening day of the season against a tough Oxford side, whilst Pre-Season saw a mixture of results (two wins / three defeats) which should never be overly read into.
Derby are a wounded animal, and whilst they are the Rams, could well be dark horses as they look to quickly end a first spell at this level in 34-years.
Charlton Team NewsThere weren't really any surprises to the team that started against Accrington last time out... With Conor McGrandles and Jack Payne still needing minutes, it was left to Scott Fraser | George Dobson and Albie Morgan to start in the middle of the pitch, and I'd expect similar again for at least another week, with McGrandles and Payne getting those much needed minutes in the League Cup next midweek.
Elsewhere and the team really picked itself, and will no doubt do so again this coming week... Jaiyesimi vs Kirk perhaps remains the one debatable area on the pitch, although the former has the early advantage what with grabbing an assist on Saturday - New Academy "hero" Miles Leaburn, will surely continue to earn more minutes from the bench, provided Chuks Aneke remains out injured.
Wollacott
Clare - Inniss - O'Connell - Sessegnon
Morgan - Dobson - Fraser
Payne - Stockley - Blackett-Taylor
Substitutes Bench: MacGillivray | Lavelle | Gilbey | McGrandles | Jaiyesimi | Kirk | Leaburn
Prediction
Its understandable that Ben Garner will want that first Charlton victory under his belt as soon as possible, so that he doesnt, at the very least, put needless pressure on himself... We came so close to achieving that target at Accrington... These next two games though, could even now, be pivotal in suggesting how our season may pan out.
Comments
Last week we played a club the size of Welling Utd in front of 2k fans.
This week we play a club who had 31k fans at their opening day victory against Oxford.
We’ll have to up our game to get a win but the Valley should be rocking.
2-1 to the addicks! Payne with the winner.
Time will tell whether they'll bounce straight back with all this Championship class, or whether they have signed a team of Gunters, Watsons and Arters.
They have a prediction thread, and majority predict either Charlton win or a draw
I reckon that The Valley is going to see a return of the ‘Leaburn, Leaburn, Leaburn’ chant on Saturday as he pops up with 2 goals and we win 2-0
COYR
I fancy a narrow and nervy home win. 1-0 with Stockley getting the goal.
Charlton 1 Derby 2
Derby 1-0 Charlton. But we'll look good in the opening 30 minutes like we did last week. Subs will show the difference in squad quality.
Will be a tough game for sure but I think this a game we can win. Accrington is a difficult place to go which is backed by the stats. We just need to make The Valley a fortress which will make the Accy point so much more valuable.
I think we’ll see the same XI personally, with chances to earn your place coming in the EFL cup on Tuesday.
I think derby are going to be this seasons flops, they’ve spent big wages on big names in the hope it’ll click but I don’t think that’s how it works down in the league one trenches anymore. If you go one up against them I think you’ll see their lack of character, just my hunch anyway.
If Derby come and try and out football us and try and win, we will probably win. If they come for a point and shithouse us they will probably get all 3.
I don't know if it was the team selection but even before kick off last Saturday I felt more deflated than I had all pre-season. Maybe it was just a dose of reality?
2-1 win
Very nice preview but tragically, my eldest son is getting married in Walworth on Saturday at 3pm.
Will try to make the second half but realistically I fear I may be dependent on the match thread.
For what it's worth, my prediction is a total mismatch and a painful afternoon but I think Charlton will win 1-0.
4pm with Charlton losing 3-0: "Forgive and forget eh."