vs Preview Once more into the breach dear friends. Regardless what the weather outside is telling you, summer is over and the kick off of the 2013-14 season is just over 24 hours away. Charlton, having managed to find enough spare change "down the back of the sofa" to secure 4 ins and no major outs, will face Bournemouth in what is fast becoming the traditional curtain raiser. After securing promotion back to the Championship for only the second time in their history the Cherries, donning their new crest, will be looking to make an immediate impact on the league. Last time Charlton faced Bournemouth on the opening day, a stupendous Wagstaff volley capped a 3-0 win that set the Addicks on the path to promotion. Previous Meetings 06/08/2011 Charlton 3-0 Bournemouth 03/03/2012 Bournemouth 0-1 Charlton Last 5 N/A League Position [table="width: 500, class: outer_border, align: center"] [tr] [td]Charlton[/td] [td]9th[/td] [td]P 0[/td] [td]W 0[/td] [td]D 0[/td] [td]L O[/td] [td]GF 0[/td] [td]GA 0[/td] [td]PTS 0[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Bournemouth[/td] [td]6th[/td] [td]P 0[/td] [td]W 0[/td] [td]D 0[/td] [td]L 0[/td] [td]GF 0[/td] [td]GA 0[/td] [td]PTS 0[/td] [/tr] [/table] Top Goal Scorers N/A Team News Chris Powell could hand starts to any four of Church, Sordell, Woods and Gower and has no injury concerns heading into the new season. Bournemouth's Brett Pitman is a doubt so Mohammed Coulibaly should lead from the front. Starting Line-Up & Result (Prediction) Hamer Solly Morrison Dervite Wiggins Pritchard Gower Jackson Harriott Kermorgant Sordell Subs: Pope, Woods, Evina, Wilson, Hollands, Stephans, Church 3-1 Win - Bournemouth to take the lead at HT, but a Yann double and a last minute goal from Church to seal the win.
Cracking stuff Japan Belvedere - you're sacked (if you're still around that is). Predicting the opening game is notoriously difficult. Bournemouth should still be on a high from their promotion and a ground that should be full. I hope that Church and Sordell provide the Gatting/Nelson type boost of 1991, but I can't see us winning this one. 2-1 Bournemouth, Morrison getting our consolation.
Belv and JA could always have a ''match thread off''. I imagine it to be like the pose off in Zoolander. I really think our boys will still feel as if they have something to prove and will start a little sluggish before getting a foothold on the game. Bournemouth will be excited and hoping this to be their downfall. 0-2 with Kermo and Harriot getting the goals.
Thanks JapanAddick. Are you Belvedere in disguise? You remind me of a politician with your spin: "to secure 4 ins and no major outs" You could equally truthfully have written "with 7 (?) outs and no major ins". I am not complaining though, as we have got through the summer far better than I thought possible. Bournemouth won't have a lot of goal-threat without Pitman. I am hoping we can scrape a 0-1 if we can ride out their early adrenalin charge.
I'm happy, Jap. Much appreciated. Can't wait for the new season to start. I expect The Cherries to put us under quite a bit of pressure, so I hope The Doctor remembers the wise old adage- We Never Lose With Andy Hughes. I don't want Gower and Stephens in midfield, and Gower looked the weaker of the two against Caley. If they play I think we'll lose, but on the other hand, if Andy Hughes plays...................
Domo arigato, Japan! I seem to remember that Belvedere's up to his neck in Uni work, hope you're out there, Belv. I don't want Gower and Stephens in midfield either FHB, the whole shooting match tightened up against ICT when they departed - pity about the goal...lol! What could we have done with £1.6m and rising for Stephens? Best not to think about it. Ominous that Bournemouth feel strong enough to let Matt Tubbs go to Rotherham for the next six months but I'm going for a draw here - 1-1 - and hoping for a lot better.
Japan are my favourite band ever so quite happy to have a David Sylvian connection with the Addicks. No prediction from me as my ability to jinx is something terrifying, but looking forward to the new season now. COYA
.............Hamer 5' 3" Morrow Dervite Wiggy Pritch Hughes Skipper Messi .........Kermit Sordell Subs: Pope, Woods, Evina, Wilson, Gower, Green, The Pig I'm going for 1-1 with Skipper scoring for us. JA
Nor do I, but it was worrying that Hughes played for the stiffs instead of the First Team last weekend. I could understand resting him to protect him, but he was just as likely to get a knock there as against ICT, maybe more likely. I assumed that, perhaps on medical advice, he is already moving over to his coaching career. Big blow for us if so, unless Hollands gets his mojo back as I have no confidence in Gower, Stephens or Pritchard as defensive midfielders. Would rather see Wilson, though he is not too inspiring either.
I believe the reason Hughes played for the stiffs was simply he missed the first team game due to a family commitment.
All you ever wanted to know about Bournemouth's badge, Kish (and probably lots you didn't want to know). http://www.afcb.co.uk/news/article/2013-07-15-cherries-launch-evolved-crest-912766.aspx And to think I just saw it as a piece of faux Art Deco...what a Philistine, eh?
Going for a 4-1 stuffing Church grabbing 1, Kermo another then Sordell with 2 more, they will grab one be on a high then 1-1 at half time then Powell's team talk to end all team talks, BANG 4-1 thank you
At first glance I thought it looked like a continental youth sides badge But I quite love the Dickie Dowsett part!
OK, thanks, that sounds more encouraging. I want him in the XI for Bournemouth. I'll have some of what you are drinking (or smoking?)
I'll have a pint (or a puff) too. Mund you, I'll have several tonight if you come up trumps with a prediction like that.
Must be the tap water in Leicester, clearly going crazy up here Just lets hope Mr Francis doesn't shut Harriot out