Friday, February 17, 2006
Two down, four to go
It's cup week again, and the fifth round brings Brentford to the Valley for an all-London clash. The Division One side are another potential banana-skin to Curbs boys, but good recent home form should be enough to see Charlton through to the quarter finals.
Brentford will be no mugs though. They are third in their division, and have won their last four matches, so will be full of confidence. They have a young team, complimented by some experienced pro's, so are well balanced.
Charlton will want to remember the last home game, where European Champions Liverpool were sent packing, rather than the last away game, where they lost 3-2 to Manchester City. At least Charlton managed a couple of goals in both games.
The cup game will see at least one change to the starting eleven, with Marcus Bent cup-tied. Curbishley may make other changes too, with a few players not performing, and others doing well in the reserves.
In goal, Thomas Myrhe will no doubt continue, with Stephan Andersen as sub.
The defence was lambasted by Curbs for conceding three last weekend, but did ever so well against Liverppol. I expect Young and Hreidersson to hold their places, but Perry to return in the centre, with Powell at left back. El Karkouri and Spector to miss out.
The midfield also gives Curbs plenty of options with almost everyone fit and available. Smertin and Kishishev are certainties, and I'd like to see a change out wide with Thomas and Ambrose both given starting berths, with Hughes dropping out.
Matt Holland is also available.
Up front, with Darren Bent a certainty, and a 4-4-2 formation also favoured recently, it will be either Jay Bothroyd, Shaun Bartlett, or possibly Jason Euell who plays. Bartlett has been missing from the first team squad for a month or so, allowing him to appear on African Nations Cup TV coverage, and Euell may need to beg Curbs for a match shirt this week. I therefore expect Bothroyd to start, with Euell on the bench.
This is the team I'd like to see start -
Myrhe, Young, Hreidersson, Perry, Powell, Ambrose, Smertin, Kishishev, Thomas, Bothroyd, Bent (D). Subs - Andersen, Spector, El Karkouri, Euell, Holland.
My one-to-watch is going to be Darren Bent. Dazza is now back in pretty good form, and if he can stay onside, looks like scoring in every match.
My score prediction is going to be a happy one, with a first quarter final appearance at last for Charlton after six years of trying. A win 3-1.
Come on you reds!
Brentford will be no mugs though. They are third in their division, and have won their last four matches, so will be full of confidence. They have a young team, complimented by some experienced pro's, so are well balanced.
Charlton will want to remember the last home game, where European Champions Liverpool were sent packing, rather than the last away game, where they lost 3-2 to Manchester City. At least Charlton managed a couple of goals in both games.
The cup game will see at least one change to the starting eleven, with Marcus Bent cup-tied. Curbishley may make other changes too, with a few players not performing, and others doing well in the reserves.
In goal, Thomas Myrhe will no doubt continue, with Stephan Andersen as sub.
The defence was lambasted by Curbs for conceding three last weekend, but did ever so well against Liverppol. I expect Young and Hreidersson to hold their places, but Perry to return in the centre, with Powell at left back. El Karkouri and Spector to miss out.
The midfield also gives Curbs plenty of options with almost everyone fit and available. Smertin and Kishishev are certainties, and I'd like to see a change out wide with Thomas and Ambrose both given starting berths, with Hughes dropping out.
Matt Holland is also available.
Up front, with Darren Bent a certainty, and a 4-4-2 formation also favoured recently, it will be either Jay Bothroyd, Shaun Bartlett, or possibly Jason Euell who plays. Bartlett has been missing from the first team squad for a month or so, allowing him to appear on African Nations Cup TV coverage, and Euell may need to beg Curbs for a match shirt this week. I therefore expect Bothroyd to start, with Euell on the bench.
This is the team I'd like to see start -
Myrhe, Young, Hreidersson, Perry, Powell, Ambrose, Smertin, Kishishev, Thomas, Bothroyd, Bent (D). Subs - Andersen, Spector, El Karkouri, Euell, Holland.
My one-to-watch is going to be Darren Bent. Dazza is now back in pretty good form, and if he can stay onside, looks like scoring in every match.
My score prediction is going to be a happy one, with a first quarter final appearance at last for Charlton after six years of trying. A win 3-1.
Come on you reds!
