Charlton v Birmingham | Sat 14 Sept | 3pm KO | Match Preview, Predictions, News & Views

I think we are in danger of becoming complacent. Birmingham are a good side and will give us a tough game.

5-0 Charlton. 

I suspect we will beat them and their fans will decide we are pretty poor. That's how it seems to work.

Think the brummies will make it tough tomorrow 1-1 draw.

AllHailTheHen said:

I see their manager has said we're a physical team. Not sure if he's meant that in the usual context but I really dont get this view some opposition have of us.

2-1 to us.

Blimey, did he really?

Physical - well we do press. But the sterotype is cloggers and long ball. 

Yeah we are a team of big units that cant play football....

Josh Cullen
Johnny Williams
Tom Lockyer
Conor Gallagher
Chris Solly

We do these managers keep doing our team talks for us? 

1-1 or 2-1 charlton but we will play them off the park in terms of effective and attractive passing football.

Seems forever since we last played, especially at home. That warrior win against Brentford was 3 weeks ago but I have really missed being at The Valley and cannot wait to get back tomorrow, celebrating 100 years at our home.

Birmingham have played a variety of formations this season, 5-4-1, 5-3-2, 4-4-1-1 and most recently 4-4-2. So to try to predict how they're going to be set up tomorrow is difficult. What we do know is that they usually play Jutkiewicz up front on his own or with someone playing just behind him. Even in the 4-4-2 it wasn't such an out and out two up front. He is most certainly their main threat and danger man. The vast majority of their attacks will be through him, direct football, second balls and route one aiming to get the ball out wide and quickly on the counter attack. As Bowyer has already mentioned, they're strong on set-pieces but interestingly, they haven't scored a goal direct from a set piece in the league this season. They have however, conceded 3 goals from defending set-pieces. Birmingham have averaged 37.8% of possession so far this season, whereas we have averaged a slightly better 43.7%. Bowyer was again right, we are going to see far more of the ball, especially being at home. One of Birmingham's weaknesses that I have picked up on is pressing. They're not effective in the high press and winning the ball back so they will often retreat and try to stay compact and organised. However, there is a key flaw that is going to let them down this season - they really struggle when teams turn them round facing their own goal, getting in behind and play with a bit of pace and tempo in areas that can hurt them. For me, they also have a poor goalkeeper in Lee Camp. Personally, I have never thought very much of him and for a Championship goalkeeper I think he makes too many mistakes or gets beaten too easily at his near post. Knowing how things work, he's bound to have a worldy tomorrow.

With this in mind, I think that tomorrow is a game where we need intelligent players who will allow us to play. Players who are going to be able to turn Birmingham in facing towards their goal, get in behind and find pockets of space in what is likely going to be a congested middle. Sarr and Oztumer should start in a game like this but with Pearce's recent performances and Williams incredible form so far this season, carrying on for Wales as well, Bowyer will find it incredibly difficult in leaving them out. The big question for us also remains whether our own biggest threat and main man is to play, Lyle Taylor. With the injury and knee brace only being precautionary I would personally hope we carry on with looking after him, it is a long season after all. But on the other hand, this is Taylor and we know that he is going to push himself if he feels he can play. With almost a fully fit squad to choose from, we have options and that is a fantastic headache to have. So much so that I would be surprised if too many of us predicted the same team. So let's give it a go.

catfordmorry said:

The Addicks win 6-0

What happens in the second set ?

First game of the season for me... apologies in advance.

ozaddick said:

In Dubai for 9 days. Usually watch on the laptop in perth, Don’t think I’ll get to watch the game here, valley pass won’t work on phones unfortunately. 
We’ve not been at the races after the international break before and I hope we don’t have a hangover from this one. Hope for a win, would take a draw. 1-1. 

Valley Pass audio commentary works on phones abroad, ozaddick.

2-2 nailed on

If LT isn't fit enough to start it would be tempting to play both Oztumer and Williams behind Hemed.

Hemed will play "between the posts" more than Taylor does and trying to pick up both of Williams and Oztumer would be a nightmare.  The problem would be starting 3 players who might have a problem completing 90 minutes.

Who would have thought Bowyer would have such choices on the 1st of August.