View attachment 21319 vs Birmingham City come to town this Saturday in the return fixture from our first game back in the Championship. When we played them on the opening day Leon Cort thought he'd won it late on for Charlton only for Nikola Zigic to break Charlton hearts and score an injury time equaliser. Last weekend was bitterly disappointing as once again we let a lead slip and went down 2-1 to Crystal Palace. Ricardo Fuller put us in the lead at half time but two late goals in the second half from Glenn Murray sunk Charlton and gave Palace all 3 points. Birmingham won on last weekend when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 Chris Burke scored both goals. Charlton Athletic Home Form W4 D5 L6 F20 A23 PTS17 Birmingham City Away Form W4 D5 L6 F20 A24 PTS17 Previous Meetings 18.08.2012 Birmingham City 1-1 Charlton Athletic 11.04.2009 Charlton Athletic 0-0 Birmingham City 15.11.2008 Birmingham City 3-2 Charlton Athletic 14.01.2006 Charlton Athletic 2-0 Birmingham City 10.09.2005 Birmingham City 0-1 Charlton Athletic Top Three Goalscorers- Charlton Athletic - Birmingham City 7 Jackson - 14 King 6 Kermorgant - 6 Zigic 5 Haynes - 5 Davies Team to play Birmingham City - Hamer Solly Morrison Cort Evina Wilson Pritchard Jackson Wagstaff Stephens Fuller Subs Button Taylor Kerkar Harriott Wiggins Kermorgant Dervite Birmingham have had a poor season so far by their standards and their squad on paper is still quite strong lets not forget that they were beaten playoff semi-finalists last season. In their last two games they have recorded back to back victories for the first time this season so are they finally finding some form? This league is simply unpredictable so I have no idea. We have gone the other way in our last two games and have had back to back defeats from winning positions. Most of the season we haven't played that well at home but after the defeat to Palace I am expecting a reaction for the players but can we win? I definately think so! COYR!!
I think you've got the team right this time, Belv, although I can't see Kerkar and Harriott both being on the bench, and don't forget Haynes was on the bench against Palace.
Nice one Belvedere - love the 'mini logo'! We're going to win this one, although having me in the crowd on Saturday isn't a good omen as the only home win I've been present at this season was the bonkers goalfest with Cardiff City. There are dangers, with King and Zigic prowling up front but I think we'll have too much pace and flair for their defence, incuding their much vaunted keeper. 2-0 to us.
As much as I would love to see Stephens behind fuller (ooh err), is Danny Haynes now fit? Confident of a result, and it should be 3. They had a good win last week, but they are still being forced to play several youngsters who may or not be up to championship grade. 2-1
Hoping to get along tomorrow. Now walking a couple of miles a day (slowly) and think I can just about handle the stress! Think Belv has the team spot on. Sadly, can't see a positive result. I have a fear that February is the month our chickens come home to roost and I can see a "no points" scenario over the next three/four games. That probably means that we will win the lot as my predictions have been spectacularly awful this season. Birmingham have some good players. Burke was on fire for Scotland on Wednesday and i can see Evina or the returning Wiggins having a very rough ride. It's a measure of how well we have done this season that we are above them and other big name squads like bolton and Wolves. Have we been riding our luck or are we a few tactical twiddles away from being a really good side? We will find out in the next three weeks I suspect.
Hamer Solly Derv Cort Evina Wilson Pritch Jacko Haynes Fuller Subs Button Wiggins Morro Stephens Taylor Harriot Kermo
The only interesting match I can remember against Birmingham was I think in 2004 where we won 3-1 maybe at The Valley There was a grat team move where Danny Murphy scored possibly after some play involving Francis Jeffers? It may have been 2005 actually with that Smertin/Kish/Murphy midfield and Darren Bent
That's great news Jimbo, just keep calm when it comes to the 80th minute and we still haven't used any substitutes...Chrissy knows best.
The Red Robin's been bobbin' round my garden this morning, which means a win. He's not as good as Olly the Octopus, but he's good.
We are at a good price of 7/5 today. Going to team it with Blackburn and notts county, so have probably just jinxed us. I was hoping to see Burke leave on loan before today - rate him highly.
Do they still have Curtis Davies? Good player, but he hates being roughed up so he won't enjoy coming up against fuller or kermo
Afternoon all Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Evina, Cort, Morrison; Wilson, Stephens, Jackson, Wagstaff; Kermorgant, Fuller Subs: Taylor, Dervite, Wiggins, Pritchard, Green, Kerkar, Wright-Phillips So we revert to 4-4-2, and Pritchard is the one to make way. We need Stephens to play well, otherwise our midfield is in danger of being overrun.
I've been saying this for a season and a half now, if we have Matt Taylor we don't need a keeper on the bench, how often do we need a keeper on the bench? And Taylor is a capable keeper apparently, And I still don't think Fuller and Kermit work together, but never know, would like to see BWP come on and see if he can change the game if not going our way. Is Waggy on the LM or RM?
Oh and where we joked about Powell reading the forums, who said that the only way we can prove it is if Chrissy drops Pritchard? Looks like it happened
Fair point I suppose. Fuller and Kermorgant played up front together at Watford on New Year's Day, and that worked out OK. Waggy would be LM, Wilson on the right.
