Charlton Athletic v Derby County Match Thread

Charlton Athletic v Derby County

Saturday 14th December 2013
3pm Kick Off
Referee: Andy Davies

After two successive matches on the road against Reading and Yeovil, Championship football returns to the Valley this weekend for the visit of Derby County and Steve McLaren, a side who have an indifferent start to their season, which began with Nigel Clough departing the side in mid-table before being dragged up the table by their current Manager putting them just 5 points behind league leaders Burnley.

Yet back to this Weekends match and although it’s probably not one of the most anticipated or sought-after matches in the season there is certainly history between the clubs, most notably in 1946 when Derby were the opposition in Charlton’s first ever FA Cup final (Unfortunately on that occasion Derby ran out winner 4-1) – In terms of links between the clubs there are no reunions for any players this Weekend against old clubs, yet Chris Powell represented Derby 91 times prior to his first spell at the Valley whilst legendary Striker… Derek Hales when he departed Charlton, joined Derby for a season though only managed 23 appearances, scoring on 4 occasions.

The Manager
Following the sacking of Nigel Clough in September, Derby County turned to Steve McLaren, a man who needs no introduction who after starting his Managerial career as an Assistant to Jim Smith at Derby and went on to be Alex Ferguson’s right hand man at Manchester United. His Managerial roles have taken Middlesbrough to their first silverware (the League Cup) and the UEFA Cup final, then missed out on Euro 2008 with England (I doubt fans will never forget the “wally with the brolly” moment against Croatia). McLaren then went on to have spells in Holland (with FC Twente) and Germany (with VfL Wolfsburg), before returning to England taking the reins briefly at Nottingham Forest.

Now at Derby County… McLaren has taken the Rams from 14th to 4th in the League having played 9 matches only failing to win on two occasions (1 draw / 1 defeat).

Key Men
Lee Grant: Experienced Goalkeeper in the Championship who has played for Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, currently in his second spell at Derby… Has kept 5 Clean Sheets this season.

Andre Wisdom: A highly rated Defender currently on a season long loan from Liverpool… who has already made 14 appearances for the Reds, currently England U21 captain.

Will Hughes: One of the Championships most talked about players… A Midfielder who made his debut at just 17 who has been tipped for the highest level, he had a quiet game at the Valley last season but expect him to be pulling a lot of strong this year.

Chris Martin / Johnny Russell: The two main Strikers for Derby… Chris Martin came through the Norwich City ranks and has scored 13 goals this season (including a hat-trick last time out), Johnny Russell was signed in the summer from Dundee United after scoring 13 in the SPL last season.

Previous Meetings
29.12.2012 – Charlton 1-1 Derby County (Haynes; Ward)
18.09.2012 – Derby County 3-2 Charlton (Ward (2), Bryson; Green, Kermorgant)
25.04.2009 – Derby County 1-0 Charlton (Hulse)
15.12.2008 – Charlton 2-2 Derby County (Gray, Waghorn; Ellington (2))

Derby County currently lead the way in terms of wins over the Addicks having won on 31 occasions (30 in the League / 1 in the FA Cup)… Charlton themselves have a total of 28 victories (with 27 in League / 1 in the FA Cup) whilst 19 matches have ended even.

Last Victory over Derby County
29.01.2002 – Charlton 1-0 Derby County (Bart-Williams)

Charlton Team News
After making his long awaited appearance in the closing stages of the match against Yeovil Town last Saturday, Chris Solly could be pressing for a start against this weekend (after playing 60mins in a U21 Friendly against Brighton on Wednesday afternoon)… Neither Ben Hamer nor Leon Cort made appearances in the Friendly so both miss out whilst Johnnie Jackson starts his three match ban after his sending off against Yeovil so won’t be available until the Boxing Day fixture against Brighton.

Possible Team to face Derby County
Alnwick
Solly – Morrison – Wood – Wiggins
Wilson – Cousins – Stephens – Stewart
Kermorgant – Sordell

Substitutes Bench
Pope – Evina – Dervite – Green – Harriott – Pigott - Church

The Referee
Travelling From: Hampshire
Matches: 8 (1 in the Championship)
Yellow / Red Cards: 32 / 2
Penalties: 5 (1 for Charlton, scored by Joe Pigott)
Last Charlton Fixture: 06.08.2013 (Charlton 4-0 Oxford)

A4L’s Prediction: 2-1 (Sordell, Stewart)​

 

I predict a 1-0 Derby win, followed by a sit in protest by the 4 Charlton fans still awake in the ground.

 

Well done again, A4L. Nice to have the thread up early as well. Who will the front 2 be, I wonder. If Kermit's attitude/fitness is no better he shouldn't start. He looked even lazier than Sordell in our 2 home games, fans' favourite or no. I doubt if Solly's ready for 90 minutes yet, so with no apologies to V-a-v, I'd have Pritchard back in the team. Like it or not, our results are better when he plays.

 

Billy - shurely shome mishtake here

Would you recall Pritchard as a playmaker a la Hoddle?

 

The new Hoddle, eh? No, I'd probably put him on the left, since no-one has made that position their own.

 

I cant see Solly being quite ready for 90mins either... Yet because of our current position I could see him starting and playing at least 70-80mins against Derby, only problem is if we're trailing, as then taking off a Defender will be a waste of a substitution

 

Steve McClaren is the perfect example of how fresh ideas and impetus can turn around a club's fortunes.

Derby are on fire at the minute, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them challenging for the title come May. No disrespect to Nigel Clough, but he had run out of steam and probably needed the change of club to galvanise himself, and this is why I feel it is in our best interests to part with CP now, and not a few months down the line when his reputation is tainted.

A parting of the ways can sometimes be the best thing for the club, the manager, the fans and the players.

As for Saturday: I fear the worst. A crushing defeat will see us heading into the festive period with a real feeling of despondency, and then I really can't see a way out with CP at the helm. I'm going with a 3-0 win for Derby, but I will happily eat my words.

 

CP must be strongly tempted to play Solly. At least with 5'3" you know what you're going to get, and I can't see his comeback being a flop like Kermit's. The Doctor has been very cautious in his statements about Solly, so if he does come back I trust CP to bring him in at the right time. With that bit of quality in the team you might find that CP suddenly becomes a better manager,

 

My first game in 5 matches and I am crapping it. But when I do crap it (figuratively of corse) before a match, we have usually walked away with a point or more.

Derby have a good team, but its more the confidence that Steve McClaren has instilled in them that has seen them climb the table. On paper I don't think they are a top 6 side, but the wally with the brolly has convinced them they are.

I expect a fast start from both sides. We need to, otherwise it will be another Ipswich - with the exception derby will be harder to get in to the game against. And after trouncing millwall in south east London already, derby will more than fancy their chances.

2-2

Also - seeing our last victory was with a CBW goal, I have a distinct memory of that being a week day game. Dies anyone remember that?

 

First game in over a year, hope the pitch isn't as bad as people make out. Would definitely start Solly even if he's not up to 90 mins. Hopefully today's the day Kermit comes good.

 

I can see a tight game with a single goal from goal machine Wiggins sealing it for us....... 1-0 Wiggins

Nice thread as usual A4L

 

Afternoon all

Charlton: Alnwick, Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Dervite; Cousins, Stephens, Pritchard, Stewart, Green, Kermorgant

Subs: Pope, Evina, Wood, Solly, Harriott, Sordell, Church

Derby: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson, Hendrick, Ward, Dawkins, Martin

Subs: Legzdins (GK), Keane, Sammon, Bennett, Cisse, Davies, Russell

So Green starts, Church is dropped and Pritchard is back. 4-5-1

COYA!

 

Just realised that Derby Wunderkind Will Hughes isn't playing - he's ill according to the commentators.

 

We're under way.

 

Charlton midfielders are getting forward well to support Yann, reasonable start from us.

 

Morrison shoots from distance, it bobbles on the pitch but Grant holds on to it.

 

We are 4-1-4-1. Good formation when attacking but ideally need someone quicker up front than Kermit for breakaways when defending.

 

Stewart crosses from the byline to the back post, Stephens watches it coming all the way but slices the volley over the bar.

 

The ball falls to Martin on the edge of the box, he turns and his shot is tipped wide.

 

Keogh booked for a foul on Wiggins.