Friday, October 28, 2005
English managers go head-to-head
Two of the finest English Premiership managers - Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce - go up against each other this weekend, when Bolton travel to Charlton in a second versus seventh clash. The official club preview is here.
Both teams are on a high and full of confidence, having won third round Carling Cup games in midweek. Charlton's victory over Chelsea gained more of the headlines, but Bolton disposed of West Ham without too much trouble it seems.
Relatively evenly matched as these teams are, Bolton have history on their side as they have won three of the last four Premiership meetings at The Valley, and also did the double over Charlton last season. Charlton's home form is something of an enigma at present, completely alienating the 100% away win record, and Curbs will be hoping for a victory on Saturday so that second place can be maintained.
The selection dilemna that Charlton's manager knew was coming has well and truly arrived now. All over the park he has to make choices, and this game will undoubtedly see some players who did not start against Chelsea back into the first eleven.
Stephan Andersen will retain the goalkeepers shirt; he was excellent in midweek, and has now confirmed Dean Kiely as Charlton's true second choice. Much as Deano will not want to admit it, he now has to wait his turn, and on current form, that could be a very long time coming.
The magnificent rearguard action at Stamford Bridge also throws up a number of possibilities for Curbishley. Talal El Karkouri and Chris Powell returned to the team and played superbly, but Chris Perry and Jonathan Spector haven't done anything wrong so far this season and don't really deserve to be dropped. El Karkouri limped off at the end of extra time in midweek, and that may make Curbs choice for centre backs easier, providing, that is, that Hreidersson has also recovered from his knee knock that saw him limping in the same game. I think that Spector will get the call at left back, simply because of the number of high balls/crosses that Bolton tend to throw at teams means his added height will help more. Luke Young should continue to captain the side from right back.
In midfield, Alexei Smertin will return, as will, almost certainly, Radistan Kishishev, both joining Danny Murphy in our most profligate triumvirate. Matt Holland and Bryan Hughes, heroes both in the cup game, will have to wait their turn I'm afraid.
Up front, the goalscoring phenomena that is Darren Bent will continue to run his heart out no doubt leading the line, and presuming that Curbs maintains 4-5-1, the two wide players will be Darren Ambrose (fresh from his maiden goal for Charlton last weekend) and Dennis Rommedahl (who looks dangerous in every match). Jay Bothroyd and Jerome Thomas will have to make do with the bench as they did at Stamford Bridge.
This is the team I expect Curbs to pick, depending on injuries:
Andersen, Young, Perry, Hreidersson, Spector, Smertin, Kishishev, Murphy, Rommedahl, Ambrose, Bent. Subs : Kiely, El Karkouri, Hughes, Bothroyd, Thomas.
For Bolton, Mexican Jared Borgetti is putting pressure on Sam Allardyce for a regular first team start, having scored three goals in his last five outings. Bolton's recent injury glut is starting to ease, and we may well see either of the recently injured Gary Speed or Jay Jay Okocha return to action at The Valley. Bolton have a large squad to pick from, and Allardyce has player choices to make which may upset some of his regulars he has warned. A win for Bolton will take them above Charlton in the Premiership table.
So Alan Curbishley goes up aginst Sam Allardyce, and these two English managers will no doubt be joined by Steve's Bruce and McLaren in the reckoning when Sven finally gives up the national team manager position and a replacement is sought.
The referee for the match is Mark Clattenburg, who has only had one bad match this season (according to Rate The Ref), and is generally well respected. Mr Clattenburg was the man in the middle when Charlton lost at home to Chelsea last season.
The one to watch for this match is Darren Ambrose, who will be fresh after being substituted in midweek, but whose form in the last two outings has been excellent.
Charlton have had a tremendous start to the season, and this week will be high on the list of those to remember among Addicks fans should another three points go into the Premiership pot. My worry is that the fans may be brought down to earth with a hefty bang, as expectations will be very, very, high following the defeat of Chelsea.
Pedro45's score prediction is therefore, unfortunately, a 2-1 home defeat, with the legs being tired in too many players after the midweek heroics, but I hope very much I am wrong! Come on you reds!
Both teams are on a high and full of confidence, having won third round Carling Cup games in midweek. Charlton's victory over Chelsea gained more of the headlines, but Bolton disposed of West Ham without too much trouble it seems.
Relatively evenly matched as these teams are, Bolton have history on their side as they have won three of the last four Premiership meetings at The Valley, and also did the double over Charlton last season. Charlton's home form is something of an enigma at present, completely alienating the 100% away win record, and Curbs will be hoping for a victory on Saturday so that second place can be maintained.
The selection dilemna that Charlton's manager knew was coming has well and truly arrived now. All over the park he has to make choices, and this game will undoubtedly see some players who did not start against Chelsea back into the first eleven.
Stephan Andersen will retain the goalkeepers shirt; he was excellent in midweek, and has now confirmed Dean Kiely as Charlton's true second choice. Much as Deano will not want to admit it, he now has to wait his turn, and on current form, that could be a very long time coming.
The magnificent rearguard action at Stamford Bridge also throws up a number of possibilities for Curbishley. Talal El Karkouri and Chris Powell returned to the team and played superbly, but Chris Perry and Jonathan Spector haven't done anything wrong so far this season and don't really deserve to be dropped. El Karkouri limped off at the end of extra time in midweek, and that may make Curbs choice for centre backs easier, providing, that is, that Hreidersson has also recovered from his knee knock that saw him limping in the same game. I think that Spector will get the call at left back, simply because of the number of high balls/crosses that Bolton tend to throw at teams means his added height will help more. Luke Young should continue to captain the side from right back.
In midfield, Alexei Smertin will return, as will, almost certainly, Radistan Kishishev, both joining Danny Murphy in our most profligate triumvirate. Matt Holland and Bryan Hughes, heroes both in the cup game, will have to wait their turn I'm afraid.
Up front, the goalscoring phenomena that is Darren Bent will continue to run his heart out no doubt leading the line, and presuming that Curbs maintains 4-5-1, the two wide players will be Darren Ambrose (fresh from his maiden goal for Charlton last weekend) and Dennis Rommedahl (who looks dangerous in every match). Jay Bothroyd and Jerome Thomas will have to make do with the bench as they did at Stamford Bridge.
This is the team I expect Curbs to pick, depending on injuries:
Andersen, Young, Perry, Hreidersson, Spector, Smertin, Kishishev, Murphy, Rommedahl, Ambrose, Bent. Subs : Kiely, El Karkouri, Hughes, Bothroyd, Thomas.
For Bolton, Mexican Jared Borgetti is putting pressure on Sam Allardyce for a regular first team start, having scored three goals in his last five outings. Bolton's recent injury glut is starting to ease, and we may well see either of the recently injured Gary Speed or Jay Jay Okocha return to action at The Valley. Bolton have a large squad to pick from, and Allardyce has player choices to make which may upset some of his regulars he has warned. A win for Bolton will take them above Charlton in the Premiership table.
So Alan Curbishley goes up aginst Sam Allardyce, and these two English managers will no doubt be joined by Steve's Bruce and McLaren in the reckoning when Sven finally gives up the national team manager position and a replacement is sought.
The referee for the match is Mark Clattenburg, who has only had one bad match this season (according to Rate The Ref), and is generally well respected. Mr Clattenburg was the man in the middle when Charlton lost at home to Chelsea last season.
The one to watch for this match is Darren Ambrose, who will be fresh after being substituted in midweek, but whose form in the last two outings has been excellent.
Charlton have had a tremendous start to the season, and this week will be high on the list of those to remember among Addicks fans should another three points go into the Premiership pot. My worry is that the fans may be brought down to earth with a hefty bang, as expectations will be very, very, high following the defeat of Chelsea.
Pedro45's score prediction is therefore, unfortunately, a 2-1 home defeat, with the legs being tired in too many players after the midweek heroics, but I hope very much I am wrong! Come on you reds!
