Friday, November 04, 2005
The Joy of Six
Charlton aim for their sixth consecutive Premiership away win of the season at Ewood Park on Saturday when they take on Blackburn Rovers. The need for the Addicks is to bounce back from the home defeat last week against Bolton, and continue the amazing start to the season away from home. The official club preview is here.
Charlton badly missed Darren Bent last week, who was ill, and he will undoubtedly return to the starting eleven tomorrow. Jay Bothroyd, who tried very hard in Dazza's place against Bolton but was ineffective, will return to the substitutes bench; if he comes on, he will be playing against his former club from last season.
Curbishley has a number of options available to him once more, and may decide or need to make further changes to the team. Alexei Smertin must be an injury doubt after being substitued in last weeks home game with a groin problem. If he doesn't make it, then either Matt Holland (left) or Bryan Hughes (both substitutes last weekend) will come into midfield.
At the back, Jonathan Spector has not looked any more effective than Chris Powell did earlier in the season, and a change at left back may be in the offing. With Talal El Karkouri fit, we may see him return to the centre of defence and Hermann Hreidersson move to his more regular left back position. Hermann has had a great season so far at centre back, and was man of the match last week, but maybe the time has come to move him across the defence? There is also an injury doubt about Chris Powell, though I do not know if this will stop him from taking part in this match. Curbs will have to make the decision as to what is best for his team against Blackburn.
Some tough decisions then for our manager, who will not want to suffer two defeats on the trot.
Rovers are a hard team, having picked up the most bookings in the Premiership so far. Players like Robbie Savage, Craig Bellamy, Paul Dickov, and former Addick Andy Todd will not be shy in getting stuck in - we can be sure of that! Curbs dilemna is whether to match up and fight fire with fire, or use use guile and skill to poor cold water on the Rovers flames.
This is the team I expect to see taking the field tomorrow:
Andersen, Young (Captain), Perry, Hreidersson, Spector, Holland, Murphy, Kishishev, Rommedahl, Ambrose, Bent. Subs - Kiely, El Karkouri, Thomas, Hughes, Bothroyd.
I am presuming that both Smertin and Powell are injured; if not, I would start them both, in place of Holland and Spector.
Charlton have won many times at Ewood Park since I started supporting the club; the most recent win was courtesy of a Hermann Hreidersson near post header from a corner a couple of years back. Oh for a repeat!
The one to watch tomorrow is Danny Murphy (seen left, scoring against Fulham), who may get a little more space in this match than he has in the last two (Chelsea and Bolton) in which to weave his magic. Four goals already this season, plus a number of assists, let us hope both those figures are increased by Saturday night.
Pedro45's score forecast is a 1-1 draw, with the unbeaten record away from home (if not the 100% wins) remaining intact.
This match is also a prelude to the reverse fixture at The Valley at the end of the month, when the sides meet in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Charlton have never been beyond this stage of the competition, so early bragging rights may be of benefit when the teams meet again on 30th November. Come on you Reds!
Charlton badly missed Darren Bent last week, who was ill, and he will undoubtedly return to the starting eleven tomorrow. Jay Bothroyd, who tried very hard in Dazza's place against Bolton but was ineffective, will return to the substitutes bench; if he comes on, he will be playing against his former club from last season.
Curbishley has a number of options available to him once more, and may decide or need to make further changes to the team. Alexei Smertin must be an injury doubt after being substitued in last weeks home game with a groin problem. If he doesn't make it, then either Matt Holland (left) or Bryan Hughes (both substitutes last weekend) will come into midfield.At the back, Jonathan Spector has not looked any more effective than Chris Powell did earlier in the season, and a change at left back may be in the offing. With Talal El Karkouri fit, we may see him return to the centre of defence and Hermann Hreidersson move to his more regular left back position. Hermann has had a great season so far at centre back, and was man of the match last week, but maybe the time has come to move him across the defence? There is also an injury doubt about Chris Powell, though I do not know if this will stop him from taking part in this match. Curbs will have to make the decision as to what is best for his team against Blackburn.
Some tough decisions then for our manager, who will not want to suffer two defeats on the trot.
Rovers are a hard team, having picked up the most bookings in the Premiership so far. Players like Robbie Savage, Craig Bellamy, Paul Dickov, and former Addick Andy Todd will not be shy in getting stuck in - we can be sure of that! Curbs dilemna is whether to match up and fight fire with fire, or use use guile and skill to poor cold water on the Rovers flames.
This is the team I expect to see taking the field tomorrow:
Andersen, Young (Captain), Perry, Hreidersson, Spector, Holland, Murphy, Kishishev, Rommedahl, Ambrose, Bent. Subs - Kiely, El Karkouri, Thomas, Hughes, Bothroyd.
I am presuming that both Smertin and Powell are injured; if not, I would start them both, in place of Holland and Spector.
Charlton have won many times at Ewood Park since I started supporting the club; the most recent win was courtesy of a Hermann Hreidersson near post header from a corner a couple of years back. Oh for a repeat!
The one to watch tomorrow is Danny Murphy (seen left, scoring against Fulham), who may get a little more space in this match than he has in the last two (Chelsea and Bolton) in which to weave his magic. Four goals already this season, plus a number of assists, let us hope both those figures are increased by Saturday night.Pedro45's score forecast is a 1-1 draw, with the unbeaten record away from home (if not the 100% wins) remaining intact.
This match is also a prelude to the reverse fixture at The Valley at the end of the month, when the sides meet in the fourth round of the Carling Cup. Charlton have never been beyond this stage of the competition, so early bragging rights may be of benefit when the teams meet again on 30th November. Come on you Reds!
