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
Comments
I note the ref’s name is hair and sadly that is where my interest in this game now ends
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!!
2-0.
2-1
Maynard-Brewer
Asiimwe Hector Jones Watson
Watson Dobson
T.Campbell May Blackett-Taylor
Tedic
Walker, Thomas, Elerewe, Fraser, Anderson, C.Campbell, Kanu
Hector
Jones
Ness
Edun
watson
dobson
fraser
watson
May
tedic
kanu and cbt to come off bench for some impact
T Watson Hector Jones Edun
C Campbell Watson Dobson Blackett-Taylor
May
Kanu/Tedić
I can see multiple problems for us being under loaded in midfield with the issue passed on to the CB’s.
Appleton has his work cut out here!
if I don’t fall asleep watching this I’ll be surprised
Happy new year everybody.
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.
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?