Match Preview: Bristol Rovers vs Charlton Athletic | Friday 29 December - Kick-Off 19:45

JamesSeed

Bristol Rovers vs Charlton Athletic 

League One 

Friday 29th December 2023 - 19:45 Kick-Off

Ground: The Memorial Stadium 

Referee: Neil Hair

Introduction 

Charlton take on Bristol Rovers as part of a run of matches that were supposed to be winnable, but which have proved to be anything but. The lauded seven match unbeaten run was ended by lowly Orient on Boxing Day in a poor quality match which was always likely to be decided by a mistake. On this occasion there were about six of them leading up to the goal. The Addicks last eight matches have produced six draws, one win, one defeat and just nine points. They haven’t won a match since November.

The Opposition 

Name: Bristol Rovers 

League Position: 10th

Manager: Matt Taylor

Alarmingly, the Gas turned over Portsmouth 2-1 on Boxing Day, and have won three of their last four matches under Matt Taylor, who was only appointed at the beginning of December. Rovers have also won their last three encounters with Charlton, winning 2-1 at The Valley back in August, and 1-0 at the Memorial Stadium last season. 

Danger man: Anthony Evans, who has already scored eight goals this season from midfield. He’s also a free kick specialist.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Thomas, Wilson, Taylor, Crama, Vale; Evans, Finley, Ward, Collins; Marquis 

Formation 5-4-1 or 3-5-2

Charlton Team News

With quite a few players still unavailable through injury manager Appleton’s selection options are severely limited, in particular in attack, where Tedić and Kanu have been tried with limited success at best. Top scorer Alfie May has started in a variety of positions, but he’s had a tough time recently when asked to play out wide on the right, and alone up front. He has looked a little frustrated, and the goals and chances have been harder to come by. Winger Chem Campbell has been asked to play in an unfamiliar number 10 role, and has struggled. Fraser has been under pressure lately, but will probably be preferred again over the less experienced, but promising, Louie Watson. Michael Appleton will probably stick to the same players, but might move May back out wide, with Kanu back in the nine role.

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup: 

Maynard-Brewer      T.Watson - Hector - Jones - Edun     Fraser - Dobson May - C Campbell - Blackett-Taylor      Kanu 

Formation 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3

Substitutes: Walker, Anderson, Asiimwe, Thomas, T Campbell, L Watson, Tedić 

Prediction: Bristol Rovers 2 Charlton 1

Fumbluff

Nice one @JamesSeed

I note the ref’s name is hair and sadly that is where my interest in this game now ends

ross1

At last we are playing a team that is not out of form, useless according to some and cannot score, like all the other teams we have been playing and could not beat. Who knows, if the players are in the mood and can be bothered, we may get a win, but don't hold your breath 

Slimeworth_McTavish

Didn't realise they'd hired Matt Taylor. Not sure what went wrong at Rotherham but he's the kind of manager I'd hoped we'd have signed. Instead we've been blessed with 'Micky Apples' the Lancashire Guardiola

se9addick

It’s hard to see anything other than a win from Bristol Rovers, but when you expect it the least is when Charlton tend to surprise you. 

Tunwellsaddick

Can`t see us scoring. 2-0

addick19

Choice of a few beers and a curry with the family.. or spending a tenner to watch more crap. There was a time when that would have been a no brainer. Oh well,  Tandoori Chicken it is then.

KettsJohn

Sadly another depressing defeat. Got a feeling we may lose by a few. 3-0 to Rovers. Happy New Year eh?

AndyG

I think it odds on we get a battering here under us losing 3 or 4 nil not a chance Appleton gets a reaction from yesterday in time for Friday 

usetobunkin

Will be at the game, travelling in hope more than expectation. Surely it cant be any worse than the Orient game? Can it?.
Dont mind being beaten by a better side, but i do expect a bit of graft from players wearing a Charlton shirt. Performance first, and would take 0-0. 
Head says 3-0 Heart says 0-1.
COYR!!

Athletico Charlton

If The vers score early I could see it getting pretty ugly. Had planned to go but glad after the Orient game I didn't bother.  Will check in the score later in the day I imagine rather than following the game.

MrBurns

3-0 defeat

cabbles

This is a must draw if we’re to keep the likes of Cambridge and Shrewsbury tucked behind us in the race for 13th

EveshamAddick

I think we’re going to come good, a clean sheet win and everyone happy again!!

Macronate

In keeping with the referees name, I couldn’t give a follicle.

2-0.

soapy_jones

The tactical genius of Mickey Apples will see us safely to a lame defeat.

2-1 

Leuth

So many games before the transfer window. I don't always say this, but I can't see how we even get close here 

Croydon

Sort of game we used to win against the odds, but I dont think this group have it in them. 

NabySarr

Think this could get ugly. Bristol Rovers in good form with new manager bounce, can only see a convincing defeat for us. 

The away dugout is also quite close to the away end, I think things could get very toxic if we play like we have been recently 

Chunes

If we don't start getting some results soon, it's going to turn very, very ugly. But it's just so hard to imagine this team winning a few. 

sam3110

The lineup has to change. Edun looked like he was carrying a knock and Fraser may as well be The Invisible Man. I'd also start Tedic and pray he can at least occupy the centre backs a bit to give May room to play. 

Maynard-Brewer
Asiimwe Hector Jones Watson
Watson Dobson
T.Campbell May Blackett-Taylor
Tedic

Walker, Thomas, Elerewe, Fraser, Anderson, C.Campbell, Kanu

DOUCHER

AMB

Hector
Jones
Ness

Edun
watson
dobson
fraser
watson

May
tedic


kanu and cbt to come off bench for some impact 

DOUCHER

won't happen coz apples likes the nonsense formation we don't have the players for

JamesSeed

 I might be tempted to try this line-up, which gets Chem C and May playing in their favoured positions. 

               Maynard-Brewer
     T Watson Hector Jones  Edun
 C Campbell Watson Dobson Blackett-Taylor
                     May
                 Kanu/Tedić

drawnablank

This is a tough ask! 

Since Taylor’s gone into Bristol, they’ve played a dice 5 (2 CM’s 1 ‘10’ & 2 CF), adapted in game to create a midfield box with a solo striker and also created a box of 2 x 10’s behind 2 strikers. 
I can see multiple problems for us being under loaded in midfield with the issue passed on to the CB’s. 

In the 1st half against Cheltenham Hector, Jones & Dobbo were left 1 v 1 defensively. It’s likely we’ll see that match up again. Fraser doesn’t follow his man, if May plays 10, for all his desire and endeavour he isn’t defensively minded, (tbh I don’t want him to be) that will leave a Bristol central 5 with two free players. Fraser and May cannot play CM & 10 at the same time.

Appleton has his work cut out here! 

Can’t see past a loss by at least 2 clear goals. 

oohaahmortimer

At least we’re still out of that shit cup competition but unfortunately looks like we’re nailed on to be in it again next year .

if I don’t fall asleep watching this I’ll be surprised 

Acab

Bristol Away who are playing well. Where we rarely win. With a crap team that are guaranteed not to play well and no one up front who is likely to frighten them. So an away win then. Fair play to the hardy soles who continue to follow this dross especially on a Friday night and following the Orient debacle.
Happy new year everybody.

Scoham

Back to May as the 10 behind Kanu and Watson for Fraser please, or 3-5-2 with May up front alongside Kanu.

Appleton is stubbornly sticking with Fraser but for whatever reason he’s not the player he was last season. Watson has his own weaknesses but he’s more mobile and we were winning games until he was dropped. For me Dobson, Fraser and Chem is too attacking and lightweight as a midfield three.

JamesSeed

@Scoham  Tricky fitting CB-T into a  3-5-2
Would you keep Tenai and Tayo as wingbacks and have Corey just ahead of Edun?

             Maynard-Brewer
           Hector Jones Thomas 
 T Watson L Watson Dobson Edun  
                                                    Blackett-Taylor
                  May  Kanu

And why do we always seem to get such inflexible managers?

AFKABartram

They’re in great form. We’re in awful form. 

It’s L1 so put your house on a Charlton win 

Hartleypete

5-0