Charlton Athletic v Plymouth ArgyleTuesday 16th August 2022 | Kick-Off: 19:45Live on Charlton TV (UK included)Match Odds: Charlton 6/5 - Draw 12/5 - Plymouth 11/5Referee: Sam Purkiss - Previously officiated Charlton in our 2-0 win against Shrewsbury Town, our last home match of last season.Introduction
It seems I get the short straw when it's my turn for the previews. After an impressive display for 60 minutes in Yorkshire, Garner's Addicks fell to their first defeat of the season. Optimism was free-flowing prior to our visit to Hillsborough, and rightly so because the football on show is a vast improvement and one thing I banged on about last season was a lack of identity. We have that now. Losing by the solitary goal against a strong Sheffield Wednesday away from home is not something to get down about. Without going into too much detail, I think we know where we need to add some quality and Gallen said in his most recent interview, adding goals to the side is a priority... sometimes, after a defeat the best thing to have is a game only a few days later. I am sure Ben will Garner the positives to get the team ready for our next opponents at The Valley, Plymouth Argyle.
OppositionManager: Stephen Schumacher (50% win rate) | Stadium: Home ParkLeague Position: 5th | Nickname(s): The Pilgrims - Named after a religious group who left Plymouth for the New World in 1620, setting sail toward Massachusetts.League Form: WLWPlymouth played at home against Peterborough United on Saturday, winning 2-0, their line up was:
Cooper
Wilson | Scarr | Gillesphey
Edwards | Houghton | Randell | Mumba
Azaz | Mayor
Hardie
Plymouth turned on the attacking style on Saturday, playing progressive and fluent football through the thirds. Impressive when they played a double header against Peterborough, losing 2-0 at home in the EFL Cup was followed up by a role reversal in the league just 3 days later. Prior to that, The Pilgrims had won on the opening day against another newly relegated side in Barnsley but couldn't follow it up away at Fleetwood, 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Despite their loss up north and being knocked out of the cup, Plymouth have made a positive start and find themselves sitting in 5th. Schumacher has come out the races as a first time manager, continuing to prove what a good job he is doing, especially for a club where their location is always going to count against them.
When looking through the Plymouth team, I think football fans would agree that their most dangerous player is Ryan Hardie. The striker put two away on Saturday, making it 3 for the season in as many games. The 25 year-old Scot scored 19 in all competitions last season, 16 in the league, and looks set to continue that fine form this term. The mobile frontman is likely to be a vital cog in the wheel if Plymouth are steer their way through the tides of League One to challenge for the top six. Another player to look out for (if he is available as there are doubts around his fitness) is a young wing-back on loan from Norwich, Bali Mumba. The 20 year-old right footer has been deployed on the left and is clever going forward; winning a penalty in each of Plymouth's last two league fixtures. Mumba may remind some of Sessegnon and it will be interesting to see how he copes defensively when faced up against our wide players.
There are gaps to exploit around the Plymouth side. An example being as Mumba pushes forward, they haven't yet mastered the art of filling the space in behind. To really exploit that, you need the midfielders running beyond, you need the wide forward staying wide, and you need the striker to be smart and occupy the central defender of the three. I am expecting this to be an area that has been identified, worked on, and will mean we could see a change or two to the personnel in midfield. Finally, the job Dobson is going to have against the three of Azaz, Mayor, and Hardie to protect the defence will be a tough one. The trio work well together and their movement is something to watch out for. In this situation, a double pivot without the ball could be needed or asking Clare to tuck in knowing Mumba will also come onto his right foot could be enough.
Charlton Team News
News followed the game on Saturday that Stockley had been struggling with illness, but you would hope the striker will be feeling strong enough on Tuesday to start again. The captain needs to step up to the plate and will be eager to open his account for the season. That will take enormous pressure off of his shoulders, and quiet the calls for another forward for a few days at least.
As I mentioned in the Plymouth section, shape without the ball to combat their front 3 and runners from midfield to exploit the space is going to be important. I think we could see a couple of changes with McGrandles and Payne coming in for Morgan and Fraser, who both have done well thus far. Rak-Sakyi will be vying for his debut and the thought of him and Blackett-Taylor on the wings must be frightening for defenders at this level.
Elsewhere, you would anticipate Lavelle will come in for Inniss as it would be silly to risk the man mountain so early on in the season. Supporters won't like it, but it's better to manage him correctly (which Garner did with Williams so well last season) than risk losing him completely for any period of time. The rest of the team picks itself right now and until Aneke and Egbo are back fit, Clayden and Leaburn will also continue to be involved in the squad. That's no criticism to either as they've shown to do well, it's just the reality of football. It's also likely to be anyone's guess between Jaiyesimi and Kirk, and with the latter being linked with a move away and DJ's ability to play on either side and his impressive performance against QPR last midweek, I would favour him to edge it.
Subs: MacGillivray, Inniss, Clayden, Morgan, Fraser, Jaiyesimi, Leaburn
Prediction
It's very difficult this early into the season to make any real solid prediction. However, we must make home advantage count and pick up where we left off in the second half against Derby. I am expecting the team to be thinking the same, and putting down a marker at home against another decent team is just what we need. Our wide players to have a great time and Stockley to get off the mark.
Charlton Athletic 3-1 Plymouth Argyle
Stockley
Blackett-Taylor
Payne
Comments
Agreed.. McGrandles needs to be eased into the team after the start he's had for us.
This should be an interesting game.
Still very early in the season but feels like this and Saturdays game, both against tough opposition who have had great starts to the season, are the sort of games a side who will get automatic promotion at the end of the season will win.
What would I do? I would play McGrandles in the u21s tomorrow for 60-70 minutes and put him back in the mix on Saturday. Payne for Fraser, DJ for Kirk and JRS on the bench.
Its a shame these two home games aren't the other way round.
Oh and I think Inniss will play.
2-1 Addicks
As it is "The Year Of The Albie" I am willing to suggest assists and goals will come from AM on Tuesday night. Everyone else are merely chess pieces that will facilitate this end.
I think Plymouth is a good test for us to see where our season is going.. I am feeling positive about our season, but we need to be beating Plymouth at home if we are going to have a good season
Looking forward to some more impressive and fluid football from the Addicks who at last have a game plan.
It wont work every week but I remain confident it will come good sooner or later if we don't lose confidence. Just need some bite in the box.
Have this down as a score draw.
1-1 Riki Saki to equalise in the 94th minute on his debut.
Elation all round but another soiled beige shirt with dodgy zip from the gaffer risks undermining confidence in the camp.
Plymouth have started well but hoping Garner will drill it into them they we should have got a least a draw against massives so need to be more clinical tomorrow.
Be a tough game and will need to keep Hardie quiet. Looking forward to it which makes a nice change!
I think there's no harm in keeping some players back to be used as 60th minute subs if they need resting. CB-T for example might benefit from a breather, as might Fraser. Stockley may be ill again.
The five subs rule can be a game changer, and we were victims of it on Saturday against Wednesday who have a stronger squad; but we could be beneficiaries against smaller clubs like Plymouth.
I'd rate Payne higher than Fraser, and hope he can start more games if and when he's fit.
Morgan has been a revelation for me this season. Hope he can keep it up.
Really looking forward to seeing JRS's debut. Might have to be patient with him, we'll see.
I'm expecting a close game, as Plymouth have started the season pretty well, but I think we'll win 2-1 (Payne, Rak Sakyi)
The midfield is working OK, though Garner still has to find his best combination, defence is again OK and Wollacott is a big upgrade from last season
Plymouth have been good/improving for a few seasons without winning anything. Just like for us, this will be a big test for them.
I wonder how many of the 'green army' will make the long trek east on a Tuesday evening
CAFC 2 v Plymouth Argyle 1
The whole conversation got me really looking forward to seeing him play, let’s hope he plays some part in this game.
agree with the team selected expect Aneke to be on the bench as well
2-1 to us