Charlton Athletic vs PortsmouthSaturday 24th February 2024 - 3pm Kick-OffReferee: Andrew KitchenIntroductionEver since the appointment of Nathan Jones, we've seen baby steps in terms of improvement on the pitch. In an ideal world, we'd be seeing an instant return on results, but there must equally be a sense of realism, you dont just turn around a bad run of form, at the drop of a hat - We're in a run of three tough games, the second coming this Saturday... If we see a repeat of the effort from last Saturday... then the results will soon come.
The OppositionName: Portsmouth (1st) | Manage: John MousinhoGround: Fratton ParkPrevious League Result: Portsmouth 4-1 ReadingWell you cant get tougher opponents this Saturday, than the League Leaders themselves.
On a personal note, I've always had the long belief that Portsmouth are the type of team who tend to start extremely strong, and then by the turn of the year have started their customary fade away from challenging for promotion - This year though, and things seem to be different, the appointment of John Mousinho in his first Managerial role just over twelve months ago, appears to be have been a masterstroke, and whilst they have Derby and Bolton breathing down their necks, it seems as though they may just survive the chase this time around.
In terms of recent results, and well... Portsmouth visit the Valley in a rich vein of goalscoring form... Pompey have scored eleven goals in their last four games, their last three home results have ended; 4-1, 3-1, 4-1 - However thats their home form, their away isn't as impressive, they've only been able to win by a goal to nil in their last three, whilst two of their three League defeats have been on the road this season
Mousinho and his side, will be looking to return to the Championship for the first time since X come the end of the season; their record at the Valley is better than Fratton Park, with two wins in their last five visits to South East London (the last being in 2021) - But it won't be an easy afternoon for the League Leaders I'm sure!!
Charlton Team NewsIt'll be interesting to say the least, as to how the Addicks line up this coming Saturday
Nathan Jones doesnt seem the type of man to pick an unchanged team, purely because of a decent result up in Lancashire last Saturday, so we could see more changes ahead of the line-up being announced at 2pm tomorrow afternoon - One absent player will be Kayne Ramsay, who picked up a hamstring issue in our last outing at the Valley, however fellow Full-Back: Thierry Small impressed the Valley faithful at Bolton, so you'd hope that he can continue that type of performance.
The likes of Daniel Kanu and Karoy Anderson showed the type of work rate that Jones appears to appreciate, so will no doubt keep their places in the team.
Isted
Edmonds-Green - Jones - Thomas
T.Watson - Coventry - Dobson - Small
Anderson
Kanu - Ladapo
Substitutes Bench: Maynard-Brewer - Gillesphey - Edun - Bakinson - Camara - May - Aneke
Comments
Letting my heart rule my head but think we will win 1-0 with a decent performance. Ladapo with the goal.
proper support
they sold out carlisle the other week 1,800 or so
can't see a win and the relegation zone beckons
sad times but that's the reality of a two thirds of a season of utter junk
This one now is must must win. Can’t draw / lose forever and expect to stay up. And the season tells us we can’t expect to rely on so called ‘easier games’. Especially when March is away heavy and we have won one away all season.
So we better bloody win then!
Have a feeling Camara wouldn’t have been far from starting at Bolton had he not had the knock in training. Jones saying he and Bakinson are much better now.
Wouldnt be surprised to see Camara pushing for a start.
I don't expect our good recent results in head to head games to impact the team, more Portsmouth than us, but I've definitely felt nervy, tension and generally a lack of belief for certain games against teams we've had a poor record against. Hopefully there is a bit of that in the Portsmouth end tomorrow. First goal is huge, if we get it there may well be a sense of here we go again amongst their fans.
I can't see us keeping a clean sheet (again) given their attacking options and our inability to defend so we're probably going to have to score 2 or 3 for any chance of a win.
2-2 draw.
Jones Vs Bishop
Watson vs Lane
Small vs Kamara
Dobbo vs Pack
Ladapo vs Raggett
These will be the key battles and I'd be tempted to play REG at right back in a back four to try and contain Lane.
After speaking to Pompey mates they aren't as confident as you might think. We are well and truly their bogey side and they're just waiting for the wheels to fall off their season. I'd love to see us get a early goal and properly put it on them but I'm going for a exciting 2-2 draw with Kanu and May getting on the scoresheet
But Cpl Jones has had another week on the training ground so I won’t be panicking if we go a goal behind.
heart says tomorrow is the day Jones proper makes his mark 2-0
Just wish our defensive frailty could be remedied.
2-2
If we do manage to sneak three points against the league leaders, that will be a immense boost to morale.
We may have been very poor in his first match in charge but in the subsequent couple there have been clear improvements in mentality and resilience and a bit more cohesion in style of play.
We didn't get the fabled "new manager bounce" with St Nathan (we'd already used that up with Mickey Apples earlier in the season) but Rome wasn't built in a day and we're getting there.
Tomorrow: Portsmouth. Currently top of the league but serial bottlers going back to the mid-80s with Alan Ball in charge. Our comeback starts here; their collapse is the other side of the coin.
Titter ye not, we can bugger up Pompei over 100 minutes tomorrow.
2-1 Kanu and Chuks.
No? Oh, please yourself then ...
I will be there hoping I am wrong and think we will give more signs of optimism for games to come.