Friday, October 16, 2009
Counter-Terriers
Charlton have another important home game this weekend at The Valley, with eighth placed Huddersfield Town the visitors. With the Addicks in second place in the league table after a quarter of the season things should be rosy red, but after three games without a goal and only one win in six league games, is this just a rocky little patch in league form, or have the wheels totally come off Charlton’s league title ambitions?Manager Phil Parkinson will be concerned about the lack of goals in recent games, even though the club is still fourth in the goal-scoring charts for the season, but we haven’t conceded many this year either, which is a bonus. Two consecutive goalless draws have kept Charlton within touching distance of leaders Leeds (who could once more be overtaken with an Addicks victory on Saturday), but the chasing pack have closed the gap that looked like it was being built, and that sits uncomfortably with the majority of supporters I feel.
So if it is all going pear shaped, where is the problem, and what can Parky do about it?
Running through the team, we do not seem to have a major problem in goal, where Rob Elliot has, bar his calamitous game at Colchester, been the modicum of consistency. Elliot has made some very good saves in games during the first quarter of the season, and probably won Charlton points by maintaining leads, or not allowing Charlton to fall behind at crucial times. He does still have the occasional flap at crosses, and the rush of blood to the head evident during Charlton sole loss this year, but overall he is the first choice ‘keeper and that is unlikely to change unless he starts letting in a lot more goals he should be saving.
The defence, with Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly, Miguel Llera and Kelly Youga featuring, has been solid bar that one Colchester game. Richardson, Llera and Dailly have all played games when injured this season, which shows that they have the club at heart and want to succeed; it is possible however that playing too many players carrying knocks can have a detrimental affect on the team as a whole, and I do think that this might need to be managed a little better as the season progresses. This is more than true when we do seem to have capable deputies in Grant Basey and Chris Solly, plus the now fit and able Sam Sodje, back from time with the Nigeria squad. I expect Sodje to now become first choice centre back in partnership with Dailly, with Llera being an able reserve, simply as he is more dominant in the air. Llera has filled an important gap in the team over the opening weeks of the season, but his communication issues (with either the language or his head-guard causing him not to understand requirements at vital times) need addressing.
Charlton’s undoubted strength over the opening weeks was in midfield, with a surfeit of players all trying to squeeze into the team. In order to accommodate Jose Semedo (top pic), Terry Racon, and Nicky Bailey, our skipper has been played out wide on the left, which is definitely not his best position; Bailey has though made a really good fist of it, and for him to be able to beat full backs at will, as he consistently does, shows how good a player he can be. He is also great at arriving in the box at the right time, and of getting in good crosses for others to feed on. Racon has also had a good season to date, with his skill and enterprise carving out openings and tempting others to run into space. The biggest loss, and almost certainly the reason for Charlton's dip in form has been the absence of Semedo though injury and it is great news that he seems to be fit once more to return against Huddersfield. His presence is immense, and his ability to track, tackle, and give an easy ball should not be underestimated. With him in the side, it allows Racon and winger Lloyd Sam the freedom to go forward and not worry about counter-attacks. While Matt Spring has got better as he has played over the last few weeks, he is not a great tackler, and as a consequence, the possession that Charlton have had has been less and the team have looked more vulnerable as a result. If he is fit, I expect Parky to bring back our Portu-geezer at Spring’s expense.
It is key to this Charlton side that we have a good winger in the team, and Lloyd Sam has fitted that bill perfectly this year; his League One August Player of the Month award was well deserved, even though we know that Lloyd can on occasion be a bit hot and cold. It’s easy for fans to shout out at wingers, simply because they tend to be closest to the by-lines during games, and I’m sure that most readers of this blog have someone who sits near them at games who shout out for Sam to go wider, or get down the line, or work harder. It cracks me up when you see Sam or someone else cut inside with someone shouting out to go wide and it results in a goal or penalty of such like. Teams set themselves up to force players into positions they don’t want to be in – like Oldham forcing Sam inside every time last week where they had ample defensive cover; it is up to Sam to deliver even when he is shown the inside, and with two good feet, he really should be making teams pay and letting fly with shots from 25 yards if that’s where they want him to run,or at least making killer passes from those positions when he has dragged defenders away from other areas. In Scott Wagstaff, we have a good reserve if and when Sam is not playing well, we need to rest him, or he is injured. Last week was a classic example of a time when Wagstaff, fresh off the back of a goal scoring performance against Barnet, should have been on the pitch earlier and possibly from the start bearing in mind Sam’s injury concern.
In attack, Charlton have come to the point where Parky really needs to decide when it best to use Plan B. The first quarter of the season has seen the use of Deon Burton playing a lone striking role with Jonjo Shelvey tucked in behind trying to feed off scraps and drive the team forward. This obviously worked with Burton scoring five times, Charlton winning their first six league games, and Shelvey growing in confidence week on week. Now though, some of the better teams (with better managers) have got wise to this rigid formation, and have set themselves up to choke Charlton’s possession, and cut off the service to Burton while bullying the young Shelvey. Neither player can be faulted for effort, but when the service is not there, for whatever reason, there effectiveness becomes nullified. Plan B is to have Izale McLeod and Tamer Tuna running at defences, with or without the ball, in a way that Burton and Shelvey cannot. Barnet could not cope with it, though they are from a league below, but even League One teams have struggled to cope with McLeod’s pace when he has been brought on as a substitute over recent weeks. It is a shame then that goals in consecutive games preceded some poor misses last Saturday by McLeod, and this not only lost Charlton two precious points but has seen many calls by fans for McLeod to be dispensed with in favour of Tuna or new recruit Clinton McKenzie. McKenzie’s own cameo last weekend looked decent, and he should have plenty to offer based on his career stats, but calls for him to start this weekend are premature fitness-wise, and certainly unfair on the other strikers who have worked hard to get the club where we are today. My own view is that it is time to look at alternatives, especially as Burton is carrying a hernia injury that needs an operation, but that it might be best to give Shelvey a break from starting in favour of live-wire McLeod. If McLeod’s introduction works, then Shelvey would be a great substitute to introduce for the last half hour to close games out, and if it doesn’t, then at least it shows that Charlton are flexible when choosing a first eleven and changes can be made as necessary depending on the game situation. With Tuna, Shelvey and McKenzie all on the bench, any eventuality in a game situation is covered.
This is the side I would pick to start against Huddersfield, even though I think Parky will be brave if he matches it –
Rob Elliot
Frazer Richardson
Christian Dailly
Sam Sodje
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Izale McLeod
Deon Burton
Subs from Randolph, Solly, Basey, Llera, Spring, Stavrinou, Wagstaff, Shelvey, Tuna, McKenzie.
Huddersfield are a big team and that aerial threat will need to be countered by the Addicks (hence why I think Burton will keep his place even though injured); in Jordan Rhodes, the Terriers seem to have one of the most potent strikers in this league with eleven goals so far, and Dailly and Sodje (or Llera) will need to be aware of his ability to break into dangerous areas late and get on the end of crosses. Our full backs will need to mark the wide players closely and cut off the supply into the box, while Elliot will need to be at his commanding best when those crosses do come near him. Centre Half Peter Clarke (interestingly one of three players named Clarke on the clubs books) was strongly linked with a move to The Valley in the summer, so he will want to make a point that he chose the right club, while solid partner Chris Lucketti has been doing the rounds in the lower leagues for quiet a few years. 19-year-old goalkeeper Alex Smithies is one to keep an eye on, as big things are thought to be on the horizon for the local born shot-stopper. Moreover, Huddersfield work as a team, and Charlton will need to be near their best if they are to contain the attacking threat posed by the Northerners.
Charlton had such a good first six games of the season that whatever followed was likely to be slightly inferior. These recent games have seen a wobble but not a fall from grace, and it is now time to stand up straight and start winning games once more. This will not be easy this weekend, but with Semedo back in the side, Pedro45 is hoping that a return to winning ways is imminent – I am forecasting a 2-1 victory.
My one-to-watch this weekend is going to be Izale McLeod (left), even if he does not feature from the start. Izzy needs to forget about missing those chances last week, and get back to doing what he does best – causing havoc in opposing defences through his sheer pace and presence. It is much better to be getting into goal-scoring positions and miss the chances than to not get into those positions at all; strikers put themselves on the line when they shoot, and if they miss, they have to take all the flack that come their way. When the ball goes in, they get all the adulation as recompense, and I am banking on McLeod to bounce back with a goal at The Valley this weekend.
Should Charlton fail to win once more, then the pressure will mount even more on the players and management at the club. I cannot help thinking back to two seasons ago, when Charlton sat near the top of the Championship at around this time, yet fell spectacularly down the league as winter drew in, finishing mid-table. That scenario cannot be allowed to happen again, and all the known problems that brought about that fall need to be countered before they start to perpetuate once more. Parkinson needs to be flexible in his team-choice, tactically countering our opponents before the game commences. With Plan B, McLeod, Wagstaff, Tuna, McKenzie, Sodje, and Semedo all at his disposal this weekend, we should have enough tactical options to throw Lee Clark’s team and planning off the scent, and that should bring about a return to winning ways.
Come on you Reds!
The defence, with Frazer Richardson, Christian Dailly, Miguel Llera and Kelly Youga featuring, has been solid bar that one Colchester game. Richardson, Llera and Dailly have all played games when injured this season, which shows that they have the club at heart and want to succeed; it is possible however that playing too many players carrying knocks can have a detrimental affect on the team as a whole, and I do think that this might need to be managed a little better as the season progresses. This is more than true when we do seem to have capable deputies in Grant Basey and Chris Solly, plus the now fit and able Sam Sodje, back from time with the Nigeria squad. I expect Sodje to now become first choice centre back in partnership with Dailly, with Llera being an able reserve, simply as he is more dominant in the air. Llera has filled an important gap in the team over the opening weeks of the season, but his communication issues (with either the language or his head-guard causing him not to understand requirements at vital times) need addressing.
Charlton’s undoubted strength over the opening weeks was in midfield, with a surfeit of players all trying to squeeze into the team. In order to accommodate Jose Semedo (top pic), Terry Racon, and Nicky Bailey, our skipper has been played out wide on the left, which is definitely not his best position; Bailey has though made a really good fist of it, and for him to be able to beat full backs at will, as he consistently does, shows how good a player he can be. He is also great at arriving in the box at the right time, and of getting in good crosses for others to feed on. Racon has also had a good season to date, with his skill and enterprise carving out openings and tempting others to run into space. The biggest loss, and almost certainly the reason for Charlton's dip in form has been the absence of Semedo though injury and it is great news that he seems to be fit once more to return against Huddersfield. His presence is immense, and his ability to track, tackle, and give an easy ball should not be underestimated. With him in the side, it allows Racon and winger Lloyd Sam the freedom to go forward and not worry about counter-attacks. While Matt Spring has got better as he has played over the last few weeks, he is not a great tackler, and as a consequence, the possession that Charlton have had has been less and the team have looked more vulnerable as a result. If he is fit, I expect Parky to bring back our Portu-geezer at Spring’s expense.
It is key to this Charlton side that we have a good winger in the team, and Lloyd Sam has fitted that bill perfectly this year; his League One August Player of the Month award was well deserved, even though we know that Lloyd can on occasion be a bit hot and cold. It’s easy for fans to shout out at wingers, simply because they tend to be closest to the by-lines during games, and I’m sure that most readers of this blog have someone who sits near them at games who shout out for Sam to go wider, or get down the line, or work harder. It cracks me up when you see Sam or someone else cut inside with someone shouting out to go wide and it results in a goal or penalty of such like. Teams set themselves up to force players into positions they don’t want to be in – like Oldham forcing Sam inside every time last week where they had ample defensive cover; it is up to Sam to deliver even when he is shown the inside, and with two good feet, he really should be making teams pay and letting fly with shots from 25 yards if that’s where they want him to run,or at least making killer passes from those positions when he has dragged defenders away from other areas. In Scott Wagstaff, we have a good reserve if and when Sam is not playing well, we need to rest him, or he is injured. Last week was a classic example of a time when Wagstaff, fresh off the back of a goal scoring performance against Barnet, should have been on the pitch earlier and possibly from the start bearing in mind Sam’s injury concern.
In attack, Charlton have come to the point where Parky really needs to decide when it best to use Plan B. The first quarter of the season has seen the use of Deon Burton playing a lone striking role with Jonjo Shelvey tucked in behind trying to feed off scraps and drive the team forward. This obviously worked with Burton scoring five times, Charlton winning their first six league games, and Shelvey growing in confidence week on week. Now though, some of the better teams (with better managers) have got wise to this rigid formation, and have set themselves up to choke Charlton’s possession, and cut off the service to Burton while bullying the young Shelvey. Neither player can be faulted for effort, but when the service is not there, for whatever reason, there effectiveness becomes nullified. Plan B is to have Izale McLeod and Tamer Tuna running at defences, with or without the ball, in a way that Burton and Shelvey cannot. Barnet could not cope with it, though they are from a league below, but even League One teams have struggled to cope with McLeod’s pace when he has been brought on as a substitute over recent weeks. It is a shame then that goals in consecutive games preceded some poor misses last Saturday by McLeod, and this not only lost Charlton two precious points but has seen many calls by fans for McLeod to be dispensed with in favour of Tuna or new recruit Clinton McKenzie. McKenzie’s own cameo last weekend looked decent, and he should have plenty to offer based on his career stats, but calls for him to start this weekend are premature fitness-wise, and certainly unfair on the other strikers who have worked hard to get the club where we are today. My own view is that it is time to look at alternatives, especially as Burton is carrying a hernia injury that needs an operation, but that it might be best to give Shelvey a break from starting in favour of live-wire McLeod. If McLeod’s introduction works, then Shelvey would be a great substitute to introduce for the last half hour to close games out, and if it doesn’t, then at least it shows that Charlton are flexible when choosing a first eleven and changes can be made as necessary depending on the game situation. With Tuna, Shelvey and McKenzie all on the bench, any eventuality in a game situation is covered.
This is the side I would pick to start against Huddersfield, even though I think Parky will be brave if he matches it –
Rob Elliot
Frazer Richardson
Christian Dailly
Sam Sodje
Kelly Youga
Jose Semedo
Therry Racon
Nicky Bailey
Lloyd Sam
Izale McLeod
Deon Burton
Subs from Randolph, Solly, Basey, Llera, Spring, Stavrinou, Wagstaff, Shelvey, Tuna, McKenzie.
Huddersfield are a big team and that aerial threat will need to be countered by the Addicks (hence why I think Burton will keep his place even though injured); in Jordan Rhodes, the Terriers seem to have one of the most potent strikers in this league with eleven goals so far, and Dailly and Sodje (or Llera) will need to be aware of his ability to break into dangerous areas late and get on the end of crosses. Our full backs will need to mark the wide players closely and cut off the supply into the box, while Elliot will need to be at his commanding best when those crosses do come near him. Centre Half Peter Clarke (interestingly one of three players named Clarke on the clubs books) was strongly linked with a move to The Valley in the summer, so he will want to make a point that he chose the right club, while solid partner Chris Lucketti has been doing the rounds in the lower leagues for quiet a few years. 19-year-old goalkeeper Alex Smithies is one to keep an eye on, as big things are thought to be on the horizon for the local born shot-stopper. Moreover, Huddersfield work as a team, and Charlton will need to be near their best if they are to contain the attacking threat posed by the Northerners.
Charlton had such a good first six games of the season that whatever followed was likely to be slightly inferior. These recent games have seen a wobble but not a fall from grace, and it is now time to stand up straight and start winning games once more. This will not be easy this weekend, but with Semedo back in the side, Pedro45 is hoping that a return to winning ways is imminent – I am forecasting a 2-1 victory.
My one-to-watch this weekend is going to be Izale McLeod (left), even if he does not feature from the start. Izzy needs to forget about missing those chances last week, and get back to doing what he does best – causing havoc in opposing defences through his sheer pace and presence. It is much better to be getting into goal-scoring positions and miss the chances than to not get into those positions at all; strikers put themselves on the line when they shoot, and if they miss, they have to take all the flack that come their way. When the ball goes in, they get all the adulation as recompense, and I am banking on McLeod to bounce back with a goal at The Valley this weekend.Should Charlton fail to win once more, then the pressure will mount even more on the players and management at the club. I cannot help thinking back to two seasons ago, when Charlton sat near the top of the Championship at around this time, yet fell spectacularly down the league as winter drew in, finishing mid-table. That scenario cannot be allowed to happen again, and all the known problems that brought about that fall need to be countered before they start to perpetuate once more. Parkinson needs to be flexible in his team-choice, tactically countering our opponents before the game commences. With Plan B, McLeod, Wagstaff, Tuna, McKenzie, Sodje, and Semedo all at his disposal this weekend, we should have enough tactical options to throw Lee Clark’s team and planning off the scent, and that should bring about a return to winning ways.
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Charlton, Huddersfield, Izale McLeod
Monday, October 05, 2009
One Coat or Two?
I have never been to a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie before, so the match versus Barnet on Tuesday night is going to be a first for me. Mind you, Charlton have never had to play in the competition before, so it’s no surprise I’ve never seen one of the games in this trophy competition.I am proud to say though, that I did attend all of Charlton’s Full Member’s Cup ties in 1986/87, including the two 800+ gates in Croydon, and the Everton away game that went to extra time and penalties. After that came a fraught semi-final which had me on my way out of the ground seconds before the final whistle, only to see a last second equalizer followed by an extra time winner, and then my first visit to Wembley to see our beloved Addicks in action.
When you have seen your team, and in this case Charlton, run out at Wembley, it makes attending all of the early rounds of, let's face it, a Mickey Mouse competition worthwhile, even if we are likely to see some paltry crowds at some of the games we have to play. The crowd at Charlton for this tie is likely to be small, with only the lower West Stand initially being opened, and with a smattering of Barnet supporters stretched out in the Jimmy Seed end behind the goal.
Some fans are of the opinion that it would be good to be out of this competition as quickly as possible, so that the small squad we have can concentrate on getting promotion, our primary aim of course. Others though, think that as the highest placed league club in the southern section of the draw, we should aim to return to Wembley once more, and brush the sides we meet aside. I’m stuck somewhere between the two camps; sure, I’d love a trip to Wembley again, especially new Wembley, but if we get knocked out by Barnet, or in any other forthcoming round, I won’t mind too much as long it has little effect in the league games between now and March.
Whatever point of view Phil Parkinson has, it’s not as if he can just pick a reserve strength team anyway; the competition rules state that – “Each Club shall play its full available strength in all matches. The Board will from time to time issue a policy as to what constitutes ‘full available strength’. Any Club failing to meet this requirement will be required to pay a fine of up to £5,000.” Not being in a position to pay a fine, I guess we have to comply!
The agreed policy it seems is currently that “clubs will be required to include in their starting line-up at least six of the eleven players that have started most often in first team games this season. “ OK, that’s pretty easy to figure out – six of Elliot, Richardson, Youga, Dailly, Llera, Racon, Semedo, Shelvey, Bailey, Burton, and Sam. Picking six from eleven is no easy job, but it gets easier for Parky, because Lloyd Sam is unlikely to be fit after his first half groin injury at Leeds on Saturday, and Jose Semedo is also out of contention with a pelvic strain. So six from nine makes things a little clearer for Parky, and possibly harder for Barnet!
A number of those nine have had injury niggles this season, but have trended to play on through the pain (Richardson, Dailly, Bailey for instance), while others have looked a little tired of late (Shelvey, Burton, Racon for instance). So Parky’s pick will have to be careful, and we do not want to run the risk of further aggravating any loss of first team players before Saturday’s possibly must-win game against Oldham.
Parkinson will therefore have to weigh up each player in turn and see where they can fit in with the need to give some of the bench, and reserves, a run out in a competitive game. Izale McLeod is one who is very likely to start, and with Miguel Llera certain to come back into the side (replacing Sam Sodje who is on international duty) it is a chance for him to regain some confidence. Rob Elliot also seems like a shoe-in to me; it would be an ideal opportunity to give able deputy Darren Randolph a first team match, but the rules requirement looks to preclude this. Kelly Youga seems to enjoy his football, and he hasn’t had either too many games or too many apparent niggles, so I think he will play. I’m sure club captain Nicky Bailey will want to feature against one of his old clubs, and he will probably be given the chance to cement a place back in central midfield once more. That leaves any two from Richardson, Dailly, Burton, Racon and Shelvey. Although they have both looked in need of a break recently, I would play Jonjo in this game, and alongside Bailey in the centre of midfield, giving Therry Racon a rest. This may be just the sort of game where Jonjo can find some space, and put his undoubted talents to the fore, with Bailey playing the holding role alongside him. The other place I would give to Christian Dailly, simply as he needs to work on his partnership with Llera still, and he is also very fit and should be able to cope, even at his age. That would give Fraser Richardson a chance to rest his knee, and Deon Burton a chance for his nose to set better. Most of the players left out will need to be available anyway to make up numbers on the substitutes bench, which I am presuming is still seven players?
This is therefore the team I would like Parky to send out on the first stage of the road to Wembley –
Rob Elliot
Chris Solly
Miguel Llera
Christian Dailly
Kelly Youga
Grant Basey
Nicky Bailey
Jonjo Shelvey
Scott Wagstaff
Izale McLeod
Tamer Tuna
Subs from – Randolph, Richardson, Clark, Jenkinson, Stavrinou, Spring, Racon, Pell, Perkins, Holden, McKenzie, Burton.
Barnet will need to pick six of their team from Ismail Yakubu, Jake Cole, Albert Adomah, Mark Hughes, Paul Furlong, Micah Hyde, Ryan O'Neill, Albert Jarrett, Yannick Bolasie, Kenny Gillet, and John O'Flynn. With a much smaller squad than (even) Charlton, they may play their current starting eleven, or make minimal changes. Hyde (ex-Watford) and Furlong (ex-QPR) are old-hands who should be familiar to most Charlton supporters, while winger Adomah, midfielder Bolasie, plus centre half and captain Yakubu are all skilful youngsters. Barnet have had a decent start to this season, and currently sit fourth in League Two; they beat Millwall 2-0 to reach this stage of the competition, and are the lowest ranked team still in the southern section.
There will also be no extra-time if the game is drawn, with a deadlocked game being decided by a penalty shoot-out at the end of 90 minutes. In previous Full Member’s Cup games I have seen Charlton win a shoot-out at Everton, and lose one at Cambridge United, and it is a few years since we have had a penalty shoot-out at The Valley (was the last the win versus Luton or the defeat to Oxford?).
Hopefully, the referee Mr D Phillips will keep the game open, his cards in his pocket, and there will be no need for 12-yard pot-shots. Pedro45 is predicting a 2-0 victory for the Addicks, which will get the confidence back up and results back on track.
My one-to-watch in this match has to be Izale McLeod, as he is possibly the only player guaranteed to start in my opinion. Izzy has been a regular substitute over the last few games, coming on with 20-odd minutes left to try and make something happen. With a full game ahead of him, let’s hope his pace is too much for Barnet to cope with, and that he has brought his shooting boots with him. We all saw how delighted he was with the goal he scored against Exeter in the last home game, and I hope he can add to his goal record at The Valley. What he will not want to do is take his shirt off and get booked again, as that would leave him just one yellow card shy of a suspension!Whether you place much importance on this game or not it has to be played and winning breeds confidence. It is a chance for some of the players (McLeod, Tuna, Wagstaff, Basey and Solly) who have been a little shy of first team football to get competitive game time, and push themselves into the picture when the first team are injured, suspended, or not performing as they should. It’s also a chance for some of the established first team to get some confidence back in their ability (Shelvey, and Llera). Let us not dismiss a win as unimportant, but similarly let us not worry about defeat if it should come; whatever happens, we should go home happy - just wrap up warm, it looks like being a wet and cold night!
Come on you Reds!
Labels: Barnet, Charlton, Izale McLeod
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Siberian Weather Greets the Tigers
It’s been a cold week in South London; one where every Addicks fan has been trying to warm themselves up in preparation for the seasonal festivities, and five crucial games (Hull, Norwich, Leicester, Colchester, and WBA) in two weeks that will determine how this season might pan out. It's so cold even Alan Pardew (left) may need an overcoat as he stands rigid in the techical area on Saturday afternoon!First up, on Saturday, we have a return fixture against Hull City at The Valley. The away game a couple of months back was one of the crunch games of the season and had a big effect on that October period; Charlton won 2-1, (Chris Iwelumo and Luke Varney scoring), but Lloyd Sam was sent off and the ban he received crossed the first three games of a subsequent four-game winless streak. Interestingly, Sam is available on Saturday following another suspension (this time for accruing five bookings…) and I’m sure he will be looking forward to acquainting himself with red-card buddy Barry Ashby.
Hull are an up-and-down sort of team; capable of winning enough games to stay comfortably within the division, but never really looking like threatening either the top or bottom. Hopefully, after a home win last weekend, they will fall victim on their travels and give up six points to Charlton in the season.
Who Alan Pardew picks to face the Tigers is going to be interesting, as last weekend, he was without three suspended players, two of whom can return this weekend (Danny Mills and Sam), but Pards also looks to have lost at least three other players through injury since the game against the Baggies.
Definitely out are Andy Reid (left, with a knee injury, till February), Zheng Zhi (calf, for two weeks) and Darren Ambrose (groin, two weeks), while Iwelumo would surprise everyone if he was fit after turning his ankle last weekend, and Varney is ill and may not recover in time. Pardew is therefore limited in some areas in whom he picks, but not in others. Hopefully, the changes necessary will bring a welcome hot streak!In goal, Nicky Weaver will carry on, untroubled by Darren Randolph being on the bench. Weaver is doing OK this season, without setting the world alight. He hasn’t really won Charlton many points (in the way Carson did last year, and Kiely and others have previously), but he cannot really be blamed for losing points either. It would be good to see him in control of his penalty area, but after five years of Deano failing to come for crosses, I don’t know why we are too bothered.
The defence will no doubt welcome peace-maker Mills back on the right side, with Sam Sodje and Madjid Bougherra likely to continue in the middle. Chris Powell, who had a poor game last week after being cruelly exposed, may have been in danger of losing his place, but injuries elsewhere may save him.
The midfield is where the biggest changes are likely. Sam will come back on the right; Matt Holland will stay in the middle and will be captain; and Jerome Thomas is likely to feature on the left. Three options to play alongside Holland are among the injured (Reid, Ambrose, and Zhi), and rumour has it Therry Racon, another obvious choice for the vacant central midfield option, is also injured (though that hasn’t been confirmed) which is probably the reason Harry Arter was left out of the reserves game as a precaution on Tuesday. Unless Pards takes a big punt, I cannot see anyone other than Jose Semedo playing alongside Matty.
Without too many other options to go with the 4-5-1 formation used during away games, that leaves two places to fill up front. If Big Chris is fit, he will undoubtedly play, but it must be a concern as to whether he will last 90 minutes of this game on a strapped up ankle, and then be fit for the other forthcoming matches too? Izale McLeod came on as a straight replacement last weekend, so I would expect him to feature, and it all depends if Varney recovers whether he can play with Iwelumo or McLeod? If Chris and Luke are out, McLeod will lead the line and Pards only option is to promote from the youth set up – Danny Uchechi? A week later and Chris Dickson will be back; just in time it seems!
It seems a bit silly to try to pre-empt the team that Pards will pick, bearing in mind all the problems he has but let’s give it a go –
Nicky Weaver
Danny Mills
Sam Sodje
Madjid Bougherra
Chris Powell
Matt Holland
Jose Semedo
Lloyd Sam
Jerome Thomas
Izale McLeod
Luke Varney
Subs from Randolph, Moutaouakil (if fit), Sankofa, McCarthy, Racon (if fit), Arter, Iwelumo (if fit), Uchechi, and anyone else who volunteers!
In fact, if you look down the list of first team players on the official website, only youngsters Josh Wright, Aswad Thomas, and Martin Christensen are not listed above when you take out the injured (11), suspended (1), and those out on loan (6). Let’s be thankful for a big squad!
My one-to-watch this week should really be Steve Allen, the physio (!), as he could be the most influential person during the next two weeks, but I’ll go for Izale Mcleod (left). Izzy is almost certain to start, and if he doesn’t, he will definitely play at least half an hour. His first goal for Charlton last weekend will have helped settle him down a bit, after a fairly lukewarm start to his Addicks career. He has played lots of last ten minutes, so the statistic of taking 13 games to get his name of the board is a little misleading. He has pace, is very direct, and as long as fellow players can get the ball to him in the right areas, he should be a handful. Yes, he is raw, but I don’t understand why some blogs are quite negative about a new recruit who hasn’t had much of a chance yet. He did, after all, win Charlton their first four penalties of the season! Izale also has the knowledge that fans are clamouring for Chris Dickson to be given a chance after his on-loan goalscoring exploits down the road at Gillingham when he returns to the club after this weekend, and that might just gee him up a bit more.Pedro 45’s score prediction versus Hull is a 2-1 home win; we seem to have fallen out of the win-away and lose-at-home sequence, so a home win is due once more. Hull will tough it out as they did in October, and the defence had better not give too many chances to the young Caleb Folan and the (much) older Dean Windass or the Addicks will suffer. We should have just a little too much for them, and if the new look team fire - with Thomas and Sam key to creating opportunities and supporting the forwards – then we should be OK. As everyone knows, Tigers are dangerous when injured, and so just might be the Addicks!
Pedro45’s own Xmas plans will prevent a report being written, or indeed a preview of the Norwich game, although the likelihood is that fans may be asked to bring their boots if the injuries increase much more! My score prediction for the Carrow Road match is a 1-1 draw.
I would therefore like to wish all my readers a happy Xmas and prosperous New Year, with the hope that my next blog will report six points and a full (or fuller) squad going up to Leicester with confidence.
Come on you reds!
Labels: Charlton, Hull City, Izale McLeod
