Monday, February 22, 2010
Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside...
My, how Charlton hearts have lifted since Saturday’s home win against Yeovil! The confidence gained will hopefully see the Addicks through their next spate of games, starting at home against Brighton on Tuesday night. With Southend away the opposition on Friday, it will have been a busy week for the Charlton side, and the squad will have been stretched to the full I’m sure.While manager Phil Parkinson would have liked to have kept an unchanged side after the weekend win, it does seem that that will not be possible, following groin injuries to ‘keeper Rob Elliot and also right back Frazer Richardson. Elliot has been a bit of a wounded soldier in recent games, picking up a back injury versus Tranmere, then a hand knock against Swindon. While those two injuries failed to keep him out of the next game (even if the dodgy back did force him from the field), this one might it seems, and Darren Randolph will be on stand-by to start, with Jimmy Binks as bench back-up. The injury to Richardson is less of a surprise, as he took time out on Saturday to put on some jogging shorts in an effort to keep his groin strain warm; whilst this was a sense of amusement to some at the game (it’s always funny when footballers take off their shorts isn’t it? Ask Terry or Cole!), this did suggest a problem which has now surfaced. Chris Solly will almost certainly step into the breach, although it is possible that Jose Semedo could play at right full back too, should Richardson miss the game.
The rest of the team looks like it may be given another run out in the hope of continuing the form shown against the Glovers; whilst it took time to gel, once it did the players looked quite comfortable and could easily have gone on to win by more. With a third game in six days to come, I would hope that Parky may rest some of the key players once sufficient lead has been won (if it can be), and that should mean game time for Semedo at some stage, plus possibly Akpo Sodje, Leon McKenzie, and/or Scott Wagstaff.
This is the side I think will start against Brighton, presuming Richardson and Elliot are unfit –
Darren Randolph
Chris Solly
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Johnnie Jackson
Nicky Bailey
Therry Racon
Lloyd Sam
Kyel Reid
Dave Mooney
Deon Burton
Subs from Binks, Semedo, Clark, Mambo, Sam Sodje, Spring, Shelvey, Wagstaff, McKenzie, Akpo Sodje.
As I’m going on holiday and will not be able to post a review of the Brighton game, or a preview of the Southend or Stockport games, I thought I’d tie these matches all together in one post.
All three games are winnable, and if they are won then that should be enough to catapult Charlton right back into automatic promotion contention. All of the opposition are closer to the bottom of the table than they would comfortably like, and Brighton showed they have fight when taking a point from Leeds at the weekend that could easily have been all three. They will be without Virgo – a key player for them - who was sent off late in that match, but have dangerous forwards in Murray and Forster. Stockport won their first game in 17 matches on Saturday, and we have to hope that this is a mere blip in their awful season. Southend meanwhile went down 3-1 at the inconsistent MK Dons, and they are just a point above the relegation places now. Since we beat Stockport and Southend in December, both clubs have sold their best players, with Baker leaving County for Coventry, and Barnard joining the Pardew revolution/revolving door in Southampton. Both teams should therefore be weaker than when we played them previously.
Pedro45 will be back just prior to the Millwall game, but may not have time for a preview of that match; I will therefore include that in my predictions which are that we will win against Brighton 2-0; win against Southend 1-0; beat Stockport 3-1; and draw at the new Den 1-1. If Charlton can achieve this set of scores, then the clubs above the Addicks will really start to feel the pressure of the run-in, and that can only benefit Charlton. Of course, should Charlton slip up against any or all these three teams, then the glances back over our shoulders at the other play-off contenders will look like a nervous twitch.
I cannot really have a separate player to watch covering these games, so my one-to-watch while I am away is going to be manager Phil Parkinson. Parky may well have to juggle his squad as the games come thick and fast, starting tomorrow, and provided he continues to pick as settled a side as possible, and provided he doesn’t tinker with the tactics too much, we should be in a fine position for the last few weeks of this tough season. It has to be 4-4-2 from here on in; it has to be Bailey in central midfield; and it has to be two wingers (at the start of matches at least, in all three aspects). The only thing that can stop Charlton if we start to play better is injuries, and we do have enough squad depth to cover most positions now.I have been on holiday in the past and Charlton have lost every game while I was away (5 matches in 1994 I think); I’ve also been on holiday and Charlton have won every time, without conceding a goal (5 games in 1998…). It would be lovely if they could win both games while I am out of the country this time, and set up a really good fixture at Millwall that could be the catalyst for promotion. We have to believe!
Come on you Reds!
PS And yes, the beach where I am going is better than the ones at both Brighton and Southend!
Labels: Brighton, Charlton, Phil Parkinson, Southend, Stockport County
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
With-Deon and I
Brighton and Hove Albion 0 Charlton Athletic 2
A professional performance gave Charlton their first away win since August, and very welcome it was to. First half goals from Deon Burton (celebrating, left) and Scott Wagstaff sealed the points, and then the Addicks sat back and played out the match without due alarm.
I wasn’t at the game and can only judge from the online commentary, but it did seem like a comfortable victory once Brighton’s best chance failed to produce a goal; a Tunnicliffe header beat the fit-again Rob Elliot but hit the bar and was then scooped away by the ‘keeper close to the line. Prior to that, Sam Sodje had been booked after an early scuffle at a free-kick, but slowly Charlton took control.
Burton scored with a good header after half an hour from a Nicky Bailey free kick, and shortly afterwards, Wagstaff finished a flowing move from six yards after a good early cross by Grant Basey (below pic). Burton then missed a good chance to seal the points just before half time when he had more time, and the Addicks went into the half-time break two goals to the good.
It took Charlton until eight minutes into second half to win their first corner, after good work by Wagstaff, then Bailey shot just wide with the rebound from his own free kick.
The tireless Dave Mooney headed wide when well placed from an Elliot Omozusi cross after an hour, before Brighton had a goal disallowed for a foul on Elliot after a clearance off the line.
Akpo Sodje came on as a substitute for Burton after 72 minutes and he shot just wide after another fast break led by Wagstaff. Mooney then saw his header saved and the follow up effort also saved after a cross by Lloyd Sam.
Mooney’s final action of the night was to be booked for kicking ball away with five minutes left, as Izale McLeod came on for him. Rob Elliot had earlier been booked for time wasting, as was Jose Semedo for a foul, and Jose is now suspended for this weekend’s game against Southend.
Some of the other results went Charlton’s way, and they now find themselves four points clear of the chasing pack, while still five points behind leaders Leeds.
The away win monkey has been despatched at long last, and the run in to Xmas could provide more wins looking at the league table. Norwich eased past Southend in Essex last night, so Charlton will look to do likewise on Saturday to maintain that gap.
Finally, a big shout for Phil Parkinson for playing Wagstaff on the left wing ahead of Jonjo Shelvey and Therry Racon; Wagstaff responded with a goal in his first full league start, and it will be tough now to leave him out after such a positive display. That leaves Shelvey and Racon, plus Matt Spring as a pretty useful back-up midfield as the suspensions and injuries kick in later in the season. With Semedo out on Saturday, it will be an interesting move to see who Parky picks to play alongside Bailey.
A professional performance gave Charlton their first away win since August, and very welcome it was to. First half goals from Deon Burton (celebrating, left) and Scott Wagstaff sealed the points, and then the Addicks sat back and played out the match without due alarm.
I wasn’t at the game and can only judge from the online commentary, but it did seem like a comfortable victory once Brighton’s best chance failed to produce a goal; a Tunnicliffe header beat the fit-again Rob Elliot but hit the bar and was then scooped away by the ‘keeper close to the line. Prior to that, Sam Sodje had been booked after an early scuffle at a free-kick, but slowly Charlton took control.
Burton scored with a good header after half an hour from a Nicky Bailey free kick, and shortly afterwards, Wagstaff finished a flowing move from six yards after a good early cross by Grant Basey (below pic). Burton then missed a good chance to seal the points just before half time when he had more time, and the Addicks went into the half-time break two goals to the good.
It took Charlton until eight minutes into second half to win their first corner, after good work by Wagstaff, then Bailey shot just wide with the rebound from his own free kick.The tireless Dave Mooney headed wide when well placed from an Elliot Omozusi cross after an hour, before Brighton had a goal disallowed for a foul on Elliot after a clearance off the line.
Akpo Sodje came on as a substitute for Burton after 72 minutes and he shot just wide after another fast break led by Wagstaff. Mooney then saw his header saved and the follow up effort also saved after a cross by Lloyd Sam.
Mooney’s final action of the night was to be booked for kicking ball away with five minutes left, as Izale McLeod came on for him. Rob Elliot had earlier been booked for time wasting, as was Jose Semedo for a foul, and Jose is now suspended for this weekend’s game against Southend.
Some of the other results went Charlton’s way, and they now find themselves four points clear of the chasing pack, while still five points behind leaders Leeds.
The away win monkey has been despatched at long last, and the run in to Xmas could provide more wins looking at the league table. Norwich eased past Southend in Essex last night, so Charlton will look to do likewise on Saturday to maintain that gap.
Finally, a big shout for Phil Parkinson for playing Wagstaff on the left wing ahead of Jonjo Shelvey and Therry Racon; Wagstaff responded with a goal in his first full league start, and it will be tough now to leave him out after such a positive display. That leaves Shelvey and Racon, plus Matt Spring as a pretty useful back-up midfield as the suspensions and injuries kick in later in the season. With Semedo out on Saturday, it will be an interesting move to see who Parky picks to play alongside Bailey.
Onwards and upwards!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Coast
Charlton look for that illusive away win tonight with a visit to the Withdean Stadium in Brighton. Not since August have the Addicks tasted victory on the road – not even in the cup! – and if promotion form is to be maintained, then away wins are required to keep the chasing pack behind us.It will not be plain sailing for Phil Parkinson tonight either, as he will probably be forced into making at least two changes to the side which beat Bristol Rovers last midweek.
Carl Ikeme’s loan spell ended in that last game, so one of either Rob Elliot, who has been out since the Gillingham game with a thigh injury, or Darren Randolph, so long the number two goalie, will be between the sticks. I’m not sure Elliot is quite ready yet, so Randolph may well get his first league start since January tonight, with young Jack Binks on the bench.
The defence also has injury worries, with Frazer Richardson only 50/50 to come back from his own thigh problem, and Kelly Youga also doubtful after kicking a player too hard last week and suffering his own thigh strain. Reserves Elliot Omozusi and Grant Basey will be on standby to play, but at least Sam Sodje is available after suspension to return (with Miguel Llera likely to make way) in the middle, with Christain Dailly making up the back four.
Thankfully, there are no injury concerns in the middle of the park, and on recent form we should see Jose Semedo, Nicky Bailey and Lloyd Sam strut their stuff in midfield. Who plays on the left is open for debate; Therry Racon got stuck in the Yeovil mud when he played there, and Jonjo Shelvey didn’t set the world on fire during his stint last week, so Parky has a choice to make. He will also consider the option of starting Scott Wagstaff (with Sam moving to the left) which is a positive move, and one that at least shows attacking intent. I suspect that if we have reserve full backs, then the more conservative approach may be seen tonight. Racon could also be playing at the club where he spent some successful time on loan a couple of years back, and for whom he said he wished to join should he not get his chance at The Valley, so he will want to do well.
Up front, it was excellent news to see that Dave Mooney’s loan spell has been extended for another month, and he has looked the part during his time with the club. The effort has been turned into goals in his last two home games, and he may well have scored in Somerset had he not been sacrificed after Sam Sodje’s early sending off. Deon Burton has also revelled in the recent games now he has someone who will do their own share of the work (and then some) alongside him; his hernia problem strangely seems to have got better, and he was able to play two full games in four days last week even though we were told it takes him several days to recover normally. With Akpo Sodje on the bench, despite his two goals in the last two games, we now have a potent attack that is to be feared. Add to that the experience and threat that Leon McKenzie and Izale McLeod bring in reserve, then Charlton have a decent forward line for every occasion.
This is the side I think Parky will pick to face the Seagulls –
Darren Randolph
Elliot Omozusi
Sam Sodje
Christian Dailly
Grant Basey
Jose Semedo
Nicky Bailey
Therry Racon
Lloyd Sam
Deon Burton
Dave Mooney
Subs from – Binks, Elliot, Llera, Richardson, Youga, Spring, Shelvey, Wagstaff, McKenzie, McLeod, Tuna, Sodje A.
Brighton will look to improve on results against the better teams in this league having lost to Leeds at home recently and also Norwich away; they have won their other three games under new manager Gus Poyet (a player I always admired…) so Charlton will have to be on form. The main threat to the Addicks is from a front line that features old hand Nicky Forster, and also Liam Dickinson, scorer of two goals for Blackpool against Charlton last season and a player once touted as Valley bound.
I have an old friend who works at Brighton, coaching some of the younger teams, including players who have made it all the way through to the first team. He is rightly proud to have seen these players come through following his input to their careers, but he is shortly due to move on to pastures new, even though he gets to travel the world in his role setting up and helping coaching schemes in Africa and the Far East. For him, it is now about doing things for himself, and with all the recent changes at his club – the new management team coming in and the forthcoming move to a new stadium – it is time to go. Sadly we will not have the chance to watch the game together as I cannot get down to the coast tonight, but I hope his boys do well but Charlton win. Pedro 45 is predicting a 2-1 victory for the Addicks.
My one-to-watch tonight is going to be Christian Dailly; with it likely he will have two reserve full backs playing with him in defence, Dailly will need to use all his experience to prevent the side leaking goals. He also has a good striker to mark, and will be a busy boy I think, with his hands full. Dailly hasn't been at his best over the last few games in my opinion, with through balls at Yeovil getting past him and a penalty conceded (whatever it was for?) in the last match, so let's hope he has a good game tonight.That away win bogey has been sitting on Charlton shoulders for too long now, and as we enter December, it would be good to flick it off and keep up the pressure on others to match our results or drop back. It’s a busy month, fixture wise, so what better way than to coast to a win tonight on the coast.
Up the Addicks!
Labels: Brighton, Charlton, Christian Dailly
