Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic Saturday 18th January 2014 3pm Kick-Off Referee: Keith Stroud So after three arranged fixtures have been postponed over the last two weeks (Oxford United and Barnsley) I write my latest Match Thread with slight trepidation as it’s time for the Addicks to hit the road as our latest fixture sees us travel to the North East where we face Middlesbrough who are set to be the first of four (possibly five) teams we’ll face on the road in quick succession over the coming weeks In preparation for this match it’s been rumoured that Manager Chris Powell has taken his players to Hyde Park for the day which involved walks (to relax the mind) and various lessons designed to see which players could correctly identify grass (Sadly Powell quickly got tired of this teaching after the majority of players kept pointing at the great lake in the middle of the park) Middlesbrough have certainly become and bogey side over the seasons and you have to go back to 2005/2006 when Charlton last claimed victory over the ‘Boro (a 2-1 victory at the Valley) although that season not only saw the Addicks do the League double yet the season also produced the epic Operation Riverside fixture which saw thousands of fans make the trip to the Riverside (via. Coach, Train and even by Plane) on an April evening for an FA Cup Quarter-Final replay… Unfortunately Charlton lost that game 4-2 and gone with the result their best chance of cup silverware whilst under Alan Curbishley. In terms of links between the clubs, Middlesbrough’s Fraser Richardson is the only ex-player to face their former club after the right-back spent a season with the Addicks, whilst current U21s coach Jason Euell once departed the Valley for Middlesbrough in 2006… the same season which saw Striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink move to the Valley in the opposite direction. 10.08.2013 – Charlton 0-1 Middlesbrough / Since Then… A pretty drab affair which saw the Addicks continue their bad form against Middlesbrough with a 1-0 defeat in which was the Addicks first home game of the season Since then Middlesbrough’s season has been varied… Manager Tony Mowbray was sacked in October after just two victories in twelve matches and was replaced by Spaniard Aitor Karanka (Middlesbrough first ever foreign manager), since then they’ve lost just three times (twice at home) picking up six wins (including a 1-0 victory over high flying Burnley) leaving them in 13th place on 33 points. Who is Aitor Karanka? Born in Spain… Aitor had a strong playing career as a Defender turning out most notably for Real Madrid and Atletico Bilbao, upon retiring in 2008 he entered coaching with the Spanish U16s before going on to be Assistant Manager to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, and became a Manager for the first when he joined Middlesbrough in November 2013 Last Charlton victory at Middlesbrough 12.03.2006 – Middlesbrough 0-3 Charlton (Rommedahl, Perry, D.Bent) Charlton Team News Chris Powell in today’s press conference confirmed that new signing Astrit Ajdarevic will be travelling up to Middlesbrough (and was in the squad to face Barnsley) so don’t be surprised to see him play a part of the game whilst there was no mention of Goalkeeper Yohann Thuram… Also confirmed is the fact that Chris Solly has to be monitored carefully and with the Valley pitch in its current state will probably only be risked in away matches, Leon Cort our only long term absentee has had a setback in his rehabilitation and looks set to be out for a further two months. Possible side to face Middlesbrough Alnwick Solly – Morrison – Wood – Wiggins Wilson – Cousins – Stephens – Ajdarevic Jackson Kermorgant Substitutes Bench Hamer – Evina – Dervite – Hughes – Green – Church – Smith The Referee – Keith Stroud Travelling From: Matches This Season: 19 (8 in the Championship) Yellow / Red Cards: 89 / 4 Penalties: 3 (One given against Charlton) Last Charlton Fixture: 09.11.13 (Charlton 2-4 Leeds) A4L’s Prediction: 2-1 (Kermorgant, Green)
I think Frazer Richardson only had 1 season with us, but great stuff otherwise I can't see us winning this one against an improving Middlesbrough side. 2-0 to them.
Cheers for that spot Captain... meant to check when I wrote the draft but completely forgot... Have edited
Great stuff, A4L again. Church will run amok, terrorising their defense. 'Boro 0 Charlton 3 (Church 3)
The other possibility is that it will be a close game, like all our other games. WE seem to play much better when we're behind, and get nervous when we're ahead. Hence we don't thrash anyone and no-one thrashes us. Wouldn't it be great though if my prediction came true?
For the amount of effort Simon Church puts in there is no one who deserves to get a hat-trick in a 3-0 win for us... I'd love it happen Really surprised though Powell wasnt asked anything about Thuram in todays Press Conference though, little bit strange he's not commented on him
Great thread as ever A4L Chris knows we need another striker and had lined up a cheap option in Dwyer but the new owner said no, Chris knows we did not need another keeper but the new owner told him he was getting Thuram as the SL manager didn't want him. I guess the new owner hasn't got round to choosing the starting 11 ......... YET!
Top stuff A4L Bit nervous about this match. I have a client who is a massive 'boro fan and we met prior to the Riverside fixture last season. We had a £50 wager on it (we were on that amazing run), but after going 2-0 up and looking a sure thing, they hit back to draw. So we decided that day to roll it over to the Riverside fixture next season - which at the time seemed like a good thing to do Not travelling up myself, any of you guys making the long trip? It would be nice to see us play on a decent pitch, but the end of January is penny pinching time. As for the outcome, I think we would do very well to get a point out of it, but I just can't see it. I'm going for boro to win 2/3-1. Kermo getting the goal for us.
Seems like it should be a loss, but the beauty of the Championship is that it is anything but predictable. Charlton 2-1
Not one hundred percent after the Oxford game...? I guess it remains to be seen if Thuram starts or is on the bench
Especially as he saved a penalty in our last league match against Ipswich - I think if Thuram does start its gonna put serious question marks over who's picking the side
Afternoon all We're playing in our black away kit today (last season's away which is now our third kit. Team news coming up.
Boro: Given, Emnes, Williams R, Ledesma, Varga, Leadbitter (C), Carayol, Friend, Whitehead, Ayala, Main Subs: Dimi, Butterfield, Jutkiewicz, Gibson, Kamara, Smallwood, Woodgate Glad Woodgate's only on the bench after how well he played in the game at The Valley in August.
Charlton: Thuram, Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Wood; Cousins, Stephens Jackson (c), Cook, Harriott; Kermorgant Subs: Phillips, Hughes, Evina, Dervite, Green, Church, Ajdarević So Thuram starts. Cook and Harriott is a gamble, good as it is to see Harriott in particular back, as both are quite lightweight. No Alnwick or Hamer on the bench, so surely they must both be injured. No sign of Solly either, which is worrying. COYA!
EDIT as Captain beat me too it... Very surprised about both Ben's missing from the Squad today, guess thats why Pope was on the bench against Oxford (and Hamer has proved his not quite fit in that match)... Why though was Pope allowed to go on loan to York if thats the case though? Very lightweight on the wings today if I was Aitor I'd be telling the players to exploit that Likewise pleased Woodgate isnt starting
