View attachment 27876 v Tuesday 26th November 2013 7:45pm Kick Off Referee: Simon Hooper So.... Charlton v Doncaster probably the greatest escape (well at least since Steve McQueen almost got away from those Germans) for Charlton fans in a very long time, trailing 3-0 at the time the referee made a bold decision to suspend the match to drain the pitch and even though Charlton got a goal back and Doncaster had a player sent off the match was abandoned at Half-Time much to the home fans relief. Since that day we've all looked back and wondered what may have happened in the second half... shooting towards the worst part of the pitch and with a man advantage we may have pulled it back, it could have got worse... All we know is that we've been given a second chance. The Opposition Involved in probably the greatest finale to a League One season... Doncaster stole not only promotion from Brentford but also the title from Bournemouth after a chaotic couple of moments last season... At the helm then was ex-Wales U21 coach Brian Flynn who after guiding Doncaster back to the Championship promptly stood aside and in came Paul Dickov out of work since leaving Oldham... A surprise choice by many Dickov has got Doncaster playing the right way and only after an unfortunatr set of results do they find themselves in an early relegation battle. Key Men A team not to be taken lightly... Doncaster have plenty of experience along with youth in their side... In goal they have ex-Chelsea 'keeper Ross Turnball who protected by giant defender Rob Jones (thankfully injured for this fixture)... In Midfield they have South African International Dean Furman (Suspended following a double booking on Friday night against Yeovil)... Up top they can rely on Manchester United loanee Federico Macheda who has 3 goals to his name this season. Previous Meetings 03.03.2009 - Charlton Athletic 1-2 Doncaster Rovers (Bailey; Coppinger, Stock) 16.09.2008 - Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Charlton Athletic (A.Gray) 26.12.1957 - Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Charlton Athletic (Nicholson; Summers, Leary) 25.12.1957 - Charlton Athletic 2-0 Doncaster Rovers (Ryan; Lucas) (This match happened to follow the remarkable 7-6 victory over Huddersfield Town) Charlton Team News Not much to report on this front after the match against Queens Park Rangers... All players came through the test at Loftus Road unscathed so it simply remains to be seen whether Richard Wood comes back into the heart of defence and whether Yann Kermorgant either joins Simon Church up front or whether he replaces him. Likely Team to Face Doncaster Rovers Hamer Wilson - Morrison - Wood - Wiggins Pritchard - Cousins - Stephens - Jackson Kermorgant - Church Substitutes Bench Alnwick - Evina - Dervite - Hughes - Harriott - Stewart - Sordell The Referee Will be travelling From: Wiltshere Matches this Season: 11 (5 in the Championship) Yellow / Red Cards: 39 / 2 Penalties Awarded: 5 (2 in... Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers) Last Charlton Match: Charlton 0-1 Burnley (02.03.2013) A4L's Prediction: 2-0 (Kermorgant, Jackson)
Nice one again, A4L. For what it's worth, my team would be: Hamer; Wilson,Morro, Wood, Wiggins; Stephens;Cousins;Evina; Jacko; Kermit;Pigott.
Top man, A4L. I'd go 4-3-3 - Kick and Rush from the off. Kermit spearheading a three pronged attack, with Church and Sordell supporting. Midfield has to be Cousins, Stephens and Hughes. No more pricking about with Pritchard and Stewart on the wings. COYR!
Cheers A4L - top job again!! Going to agree with ponders about 4-3-3, though I'd have Stewart over sordell if he's going to play to the side of Yann. You have to be honest and say if they do turn us over again then it's just embarrassing, especially the images of their players trying to keep the game going whilst ours were tucked up in the changing room. That said, I think we will win tonight. Hopefully wood returns to reassure morro - and with that comes a clean sheet. I fancy us to get 2-3.
Cheers a4L As Ponders said, time to take the gloves off tonight. 4-4-2 please, as opposed to Powell's favoured 9-1-0 formation.
I would normally agree about Stewart over Sordell, but the latter needs to prove himself at some point during his tenure. If he doesn't, there needs to be some way of crow-barring him out of the club. He is the ghost at the feast.
He's had plenty of chances, and I think a lot of us are chipping in for his National Express coach back to Bolton Slightly positive about this, but 90% of the time when I'm positive we get spanked, BUT, 3-1, they'll be 1-0 up and we'll turn it around and kick start our season
I know it's a must-win game, but football is about entertainment as well as winning. We might have differing suggestions about tactics, formations etc., but I want to be entertained, and there's nothing good about seeing Morro, or any defender looking in vain for a team-mate to pass to, a Donny player starts to close him down so the ball gets launched skyward. Two home games this week and please I don't want to see this happening.
Not sure if that is your choice, A4L, or what you think CP will field, but either way it is about the best we can field at present. Pritchard and Jackson to generally play narrow and leave the wings to the fullbacks. Asking a lot of them, but all four midfielders can defend (after a fashion) so that should help. If Kermorgant is fit enough to play 100% for an hour, and Stephens is in the mood, we will win 3-1. The lads should be up for this after a finicky ref deprived them of an almost inevitable 7-3 win in the abandoned match. Pigott on the bench to replace Kermit, please, when the latter tires, not Sordell.
Trains from central London buggered. Every intention of going to the match straight from work, but would like to know I can get home after before midnight. Will review again at 6.00
Off to see if the transport system can cope with the thousands heading for the Valley, if I make it I do so hope to see a good match, and a few goals from CAFC would be nice. If not plan B, a very nice pub by London Cannon St station.
Evening all Sounds like big problems on the trains tonight getting to The Valley. Maybe this fixture is cursed. Anyway, the teams: Charlton: Hamer, Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Dervite; Stewart, Jackson (c), Cousins, Stephens; Kermorgant, Church Subs: Alnwick, Evina, Hughes, Wood, Green, Harriott, Sordell Doncaster: Turnbull, Quinn, Duffy, Paynter, Macheda, McCullough, Khumalo, Wellens, De Val, Coppinger, Wabara Subs: Maxted, Cotterill, Wakefield, Robinson, Bennett, Peterson, Woods Looks like Jackson will be on the left, with Stewart on the right as Pritchard makes way. Kermorgant back in the starting line-up too. COYA!
Attendance will be good tonight with nothing going in that direction, no trains at all... so 10,000 official attendance, 2,000 actual? ha
