I like to think the footballing Gods are looking down on this one and say to the "O's.......
"sorry lads, Sunday is not going to be your day. It's a bit too soon for you & you still have to serve your time in League One. Charlton; you've done your penance and 5 years in League One is long enough for any team of your stature. Be on your way & we look forward to seeing you in The Championship next season".
The amount of late goals we have scored is a testament to our superior fitness. Being at Wembley, that fitness should play a big part in the latter stages. Orient have a major weakness in that they don't have huge Centre Halves and are susceptible to high hanging balls to the far post from corners. This is where Jones and Gillespie could play a big part.
My only worry is that Kelman could break free as he's extremely quick and strong. Hopefully Ramsey is ready to mop up if required. A big game for TC (who needs to rediscover his form) and Small.
Heart says Charlton. Wish my head was doing the same, but I don't fancy us. Just something about the way Orient finished the season has me worried. Probably just the damaged, Charlton fan in me!
Great preview as always and thanks for doing them.
It's going to be a very nervous occasion and picking a winner in games like this is never easy. Hopefully we score 1st to settle the nerves and our support which will out number Orients by at least 10k will carry us on to victory and a place in the championship. COYA
NJ has clearly got his best group playing the way he wants, so for me it's all about the subs and how he makes "in game" changes in the second half [assuming no injuries or red card !].
Chuks has to be of nuisance value in the last 20 mins, but the large pitch will take its toll and the game will open up in the final quarter if either side is chasing. So, I would hope Anderson and Kanu would add legs and pace should we need them.
The O's are a decent side, but they will leak goals, so I hope we go for it and try and win, rather than be a little defensive.
I hope Berry is fit, but if not Alex is decent and I am sure we will win this if we stick to our style of play.
TC and TS are the key and they need to use the space they will get to do some damage.
It's going to be a nervy affair and one goal may do it for either side. I'll go with that side being us - 1-0 to Charlton and our Division 3 pub league nightmare is over.
Comfortable 4-0 WIN...alright give them a last minute consolation...4-1
Chuks will be a game changer...
We absolutely love Wembley...
It's written ok...
If Chuks is going to be a game changer and we’re going to win 4-0 or 4-1, are you expecting it to be 0-0 until he comes on?! Sounds like quite the way for him to end his Charlton career!!
2-1 Edwards and Campbell interplay down the left. Campbell steps over the ball feints and then cutbacks back, runs back a few steps, then lofts a ball towards the far corner of the six yard box. Lloyd Jones heads it. It is blocked by anO’s defender, the ball falls in front of Jones who stabs at it with his foot, it hits a tired defender’s thigh, and slightly deflects into the goal to win the game 2-1, in, say, the 94th minute. Other goals Edwards and Gillespie (OG).
Referee Andrew Kitchen spent most of the last two seasons in the Premierships / Championship except for one game at the start of 2023 season .. at the valley when we beat Orient 1-0
In their two play off games (which includes an extra 30 minutes of extra time) the Orient defence allowed Stockport to have 34 shots. Carry on those sort of defensive performances against us and Godden will be licking his lips. For context we allowed Wycombe 14 in the play offs. We've allowed 29 shots against us in our last 4 games which includes a 3-0 defeat to Wrexham. Their strikers will have little to go off.
As others have said, hopefully we can use our height advantage at set pieces too. REG and their keeper are both weak in the air and they were undone by the same set piece routine twice in a row at their place.
I think we should have too much for them. There's a lot of extra motivation on the line for us too, TC & Anderson wanting to get promoted with the team that gave them a chance, Godden at his hometown club, Aneke ending his career with us, Berry & Doc wanting to get back to where they feel they belong, Small looking for a pay day. I know they will have their stories too but I truly believe in NJ to get the best out of these players
I just think Orient are too leaky, and Stockport had enough chances to win that game three times over, says a lot about Stockport that Louie Barry has ended the season as there top scorer, suspect if we had that many chances in the semi we would have won at a canter with Godden.
On the positive side we will hopefully have a fully fit best 11 (Leaburn aside) out. That 11 has proved very effective in the last few months.
However, in my opinion, Orient are the better footballing team, and I worry the Wembley pitch will play to that strength. Plus they have 4 ex Charlton lads to score and break our hearts.
I missed a few of our games at the end of the season as I was away so am maybe clouded by the fact that 3 of the last 4 games I saw before the play offs started were our drubbing at Peterborough, followed by a poor draw v Lincoln and us not turning up and getting soundly beaten by Wrexham (our handsome thrashing of Huddersfield was the fun 4th).
I don't see us winning. In a funny way though, that means I will go to enjoy it as a day out whatever the score...
I have also said for a few weeks that Chuks would have one final goal in him before he leaves this summer and this is his last chance to do so.
Im expecting a lot of crosses to be sent in to the Orient box. Merely because of the way we scored from two corners in the away game, and Stockport's second goal from free kick in first leg play off semi.
No idea how many other times Orient have been caught out like that this season, but seems to be one of there weak links.
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
100% Stockport are a significantly better side, they just fluffed their lines when it mattered
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
Wouldn't they... Difficult to tell off the reaction of one goal, as a 1-0 lead means that Stockport have to go for it more blah blah blah, whereas the game may have remained a bit of a stalemate for longer had it remained 0-0 - Plus there is the penalty that Orient should have had in the first leg which wasn't given, could argue Orient shouldnt have required ET or penalties.
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
Wouldn't they... Difficult to tell off the reaction of one goal, as a 1-0 lead means that Stockport have to go for it more blah blah blah, whereas the game may have remained a bit of a stalemate for longer had it remained 0-0 - Plus there is the penalty that Orient should have had in the first leg which wasn't given, could argue Orient shouldnt have required ET or penalties.
Dynamics of games innit, as you say, we don't know how Stockport come out at 0-0 at Brisbane Road. But when Stockport did up the ante, they were the better team, and created chances that with say, Louie Barry or Matty Godden/Charlie Kelman in blue, they go and win.
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
But for Kelman's clearly offside goal (which was a terrible decision) LO wouldn't be in the final. I think I'd prefer to face LO in this game rather then Stockport, so let's hope we take advantage of that terrible piece of officiating.
100% Stockport are a significantly better side, they just fluffed their lines when it mattered
Agreed, it’s was specifically Norwood that I was worried about facing. Orient won’t be pushovers, we shouldn’t be cocky or complacent but we should feel confident in our chances. A one off game against Leyton Orient with twice as many Charlton fans in attendance for promotion is a reasonable ask.
If I was predicting the score of this match as a neutral I'd say 2-0 Charlton and would be mildly surprised if it went Orient's way.
Problem is, that prediction of mild surprise is turning to blind panic. I'd estimate that we have a 60% chance of going up but 40% for not doing it looms large in my head.
Comfortable 4-0 WIN...alright give them a last minute consolation...4-1
Chuks will be a game changer...
We absolutely love Wembley...
It's written ok...
If Chuks is going to be a game changer and we’re going to win 4-0 or 4-1, are you expecting it to be 0-0 until he comes on?! Sounds like quite the way for him to end his Charlton career!!
The highly anticipated Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Finals, taking place at Wembley Stadium from May 24th-26th, 2025, look a little different this year with all three matches now set to kick-off one minute later than scheduled.
The unique kick-off times are designed to raise awareness of the "Every Minute Matters" campaign, a collaboration between Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation, which aims to inspire supporters to learn CPR, equipping them with vital skills that could help them save someone’s life.
Comments
"sorry lads, Sunday is not going to be your day. It's a bit too soon for you & you still have to serve your time in League One. Charlton; you've done your penance and 5 years in League One is long enough for any team of your stature. Be on your way & we look forward to seeing you in The Championship next season".
Anything else is just cruel.
Orient have a major weakness in that they don't have huge Centre Halves and are susceptible to high hanging balls to the far post from corners. This is where Jones and Gillespie could play a big part.
My only worry is that Kelman could break free as he's extremely quick and strong. Hopefully
Ramsey is ready to mop up if required.
A big game for TC (who needs to rediscover his form) and Small.
It's going to be a very nervous occasion and picking a winner in games like this is never easy.
Hopefully we score 1st to settle the nerves and our support which will out number Orients by at least 10k will carry us on to victory and a place in the championship.
COYA
Great preview Forever.
Chuks has to be of nuisance value in the last 20 mins, but the large pitch will take its toll and the game will open up in the final quarter if either side is chasing. So, I would hope Anderson and Kanu would add legs and pace should we need them.
The O's are a decent side, but they will leak goals, so I hope we go for it and try and win, rather than be a little defensive.
I hope Berry is fit, but if not Alex is decent and I am sure we will win this if we stick to our style of play.
TC and TS are the key and they need to use the space they will get to do some damage.
This will be my 3rd play off final, so COYR!!!!
Comfortable 4-0 WIN...alright give them a last minute consolation...4-1
Chuks will be a game changer...
We absolutely love Wembley...
It's written ok...
Edwards and Campbell interplay down the left. Campbell steps over the ball feints and then cutbacks back, runs back a few steps, then lofts a ball towards the far corner of the six yard box. Lloyd Jones heads it. It is blocked by anO’s defender, the ball falls in front of Jones who stabs at it with his foot, it hits a tired defender’s thigh, and slightly deflects into the goal to win the game 2-1, in, say, the 94th minute. Other goals Edwards and Gillespie (OG).
As others have said, hopefully we can use our height advantage at set pieces too. REG and their keeper are both weak in the air and they were undone by the same set piece routine twice in a row at their place.
I think we should have too much for them. There's a lot of extra motivation on the line for us too, TC & Anderson wanting to get promoted with the team that gave them a chance, Godden at his hometown club, Aneke ending his career with us, Berry & Doc wanting to get back to where they feel they belong, Small looking for a pay day. I know they will have their stories too but I truly believe in NJ to get the best out of these players
However, in my opinion, Orient are the better footballing team, and I worry the Wembley pitch will play to that strength. Plus they have 4 ex Charlton lads to score and break our hearts.
I missed a few of our games at the end of the season as I was away so am maybe clouded by the fact that 3 of the last 4 games I saw before the play offs started were our drubbing at Peterborough, followed by a poor draw v Lincoln and us not turning up and getting soundly beaten by Wrexham (our handsome thrashing of Huddersfield was the fun 4th).
I don't see us winning. In a funny way though, that means I will go to enjoy it as a day out whatever the score...
I have also said for a few weeks that Chuks would have one final goal in him before he leaves this summer and this is his last chance to do so.
Problem is, that prediction of mild surprise is turning to blind panic. I'd estimate that we have a 60% chance of going up but 40% for not doing it looms large in my head.
The unique kick-off times are designed to raise awareness of the "Every Minute Matters" campaign, a collaboration between Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation, which aims to inspire supporters to learn CPR, equipping them with vital skills that could help them save someone’s life.
https://www.charltonafc.com/news/play-finals-set-kick-one-minute-later