Morecambe vs Charlton AthleticSaturday 10th December 2022 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Andy HainesIntroductionRight lads this is it, this is the big one... After all the friendlies, all the preparation, all the debate over whether the Nations League is worth its salt is over... Because tomorrow we get to see England take on the World Champions France... Wait... What do you mean there is are away games which clashes, do you mean that someone at the Football League didnt think to check the dates to ensure this didnt happen - Well unfortunately thats the case, with Charlton in the form of their lives, you're being forced to choose between a great match, or another damp squid... ironically I could be talking about either encounter.
The OppositionName: Morecambe (24th) | Manager: Derek AdamsGround: Mazuma StadiumPrevious Result: Morecambe 1-1 Exeter CityLast season if you had to pick a surprise package across all four Division of English Football then you'd have to say Morecambe were up there.
No one expected them to win promotion from League Two a few years ago, even when they did, it wasn't going to last, 12 months of joy before it all ended in tears with the Shrimps (not to be confused with the Shrimpers of Southend United) relegated back to the fourth tier... Ironically too their first relegation in the clubs history - However lets take a pause on this delightful history lesson... Because that didnt happen... Of course it didn't we're not playing League Two Football this Saturday, regardless of how soul destroying it may look.
Instead Morecambe defied the odds and survived, mainly thanks to the goals of Cole Stockton who had the season of his life... You could equally argue that Morecambe now find themselves bottom of the table (and looking likely for that first relegation) because Stockton hasn't come close to replicating that form, and has only found the net in two outings (once in the League) this campaign - Sadly though it seems as though Cole has finally found his shooting boots, with both goals coming in the last two matches - Morecambe of course come into this match with the glamourous job of propping up the rest of the Division, but form has been steady rather than disappointing, the Shrimps have lost just two games since the 15th October, and whilst they have just the one win, the five draws (all ending 1-1) show that our opponents are beginning to find some consistency.
Charlton Team NewsWith Charlton in town this weekend I really wouldn't expect another classic - The biggest highlight of the weekend will surely be for Sam Lavelle, who should finally get to face his old side for the first time since moving to SE7... the Defender joined from Morecambe last August, however injuries prevented him from playing against his old Employer, and come full-time I suspect many Charlton fans will be happy to leave him there too.
Elsewhere and Jayden Stockley will return to the team, allowing Chuks Aneke to take his comfortable spot on the bench, and so be more of an impact against tiring defences - Wednesday evening was a dark moment for fans, what with the loss to Stockport in the FA Cup, however I cling to some hope that they did so to focus on the League and that we will see a slight improvement (Maybe we'll only lose 2-1 this Saturday... Maybe), if anything Anthony Hayes and Jason Pearce will certainly have more time on the training pitch to implement improvements from our display at Edgeley Park!!
Maynard-Brewer
Mitchell - Lavelle - Ness
Clare - Dobson - Forster-Caskey - Sessegnon
Fraser
Rak-Sakyi - Stockley
Substitutes Bench: MacGillivray - Chin - Elerewe - Payne - Morgan - Aneke - Blackett-Taylor
Comments
Morecambe Goalkeeper: Connor Ripley has just won League One Player of the Month
His goals at the Valley last season were class.
The other side of me thinks it’s cold, we’re going to get outfought and we’ll have a player sent off for some unnecessary petulant act.
But as AFKA says, we've lacked shape and an outlet without him - Aneke is alright but mainly against tiring defences
I would be surprised if JFC starts. If it is a five man midfield we all know it will be Morgan. I would prefer a four man midfield for this. I also don't think AMB will dislodge McGoalie.
If playing two up front I would prefer Payne or Kirk alongside Stockley. JRS needs a break. He is not a central striker. His strengths are out wide. He has been poor recently and I don't think this is the sort of game for him.
Whatever the team and whatever the formation, this is not going to be easy. A win is hugely needed to help restore some confidence, but I can't see us winning. Cole Stockton is going to score isn't he? Think we may scrape a 1-1 draw, but would love us to sneak a win somehow (please).
Personally think he may go back to 4 3 3.
Also isn't Innis available? Not sure I'd play him though
Something I rarely do with my Previews.
Wasn't sure if Inniss missing Wednesday was a precaution, but actually think both Mitchell and Ness have been better defensively than Lavelle and Inniss these last two games, hence why I'd put them back in - Also put JFC alongside Dobson, so Fraser gets pushed further forwards, but be surprised as often JFC gets in the way when playing alongside a similar player, its happened when he's played with Dobson, and has happened with Cullen too.
Depending on Inniss being fit, we'll probably go back to a 4-4-2 (Zzz), with the below what I expect to see
MacGillivray
Clare - Inniss - Lavelle - Sessegnon
Rak-Sakyi - Dobson - Fraser - Campbell
Stockley - Kirk
Clare Inniss Lavelle Sessegnon
DJ Dobson Fraser Kirk
Payne Stockley
That's how I would set up for this game. Super-subs: Aneke, CBT, AMB, Ness, Mitchell, JFC, Kanu
The inclusion of Dobson, Fraser, Blackett-Taylor and Stockley should at least add some stability. Stockley's goal return has been as poor as the (formerly) much-lauded Stockton's this season but we have missed his defensive contribution at set pieces, where we've been more useless than usual in his absence. I personally don't like playing three central defenders and would be tempted to bring back Maynard-Brewer. In terms of the forwards, I certainly don't want to see Kirk starting in a game like this.
Morecambe have had a terrible season but have picked up a few draws in recent weeks. They'll see this game as a great opportunity to pick up three points against a side with a soft underbelly. We need to show some character and fight, as defeat here really will push us towards a relegation battle which I don't think this side have the stomach for.
The absence of a proper manager is hardly going to help, so let's hope that Sandgaard gets his finger out and makes an appointment in short order (unattractive as the prospect of working for him is). If he fannies around for another 5 weeks as he did in the summer, we may well find ourselves in deep trouble.
All games played at 1pm should have been easy to arrange.