Blackpool v Charlton Athletic Saturday 3rd May 2014 3pm Kick-Off Referee: Kevin Friend As I mentioned in the Match Preview against Watford itâs been a long road this season yet with four relegation battles across the last 20-years we as fans can finally say that weâve survived one of them The first of those relegations was probably one that the majority of fans would have expected⦠It was our first year in the Premier League (1998-1999) and we were certainly a little fish in an ever growing big pond, the second of our relegations⦠well we knew as Charlton fans that we wouldnât always be a Premier League team it was just a shame in a way that it ended so soon after the reign of Alan Curbishley ended⦠and the third of our relegations, well that was unexpected, whilst Charlton havenât always been a top flight side weâve pretty much always been a Championship side so relegation to League One five years ago was tough to take. Yet now going into the last game of the season⦠We as fans and the players can relax, the job is done for the season⦠weâve survived a relegation battle and we can re-group and life to fight another season in the Championship, of course though it doesnât mean to say we might not have a say in who does go down as with one spot left open any one of four clubs (Birmingham, Doncaster and Millwall) could be relegated tomorrow not to mention our own opposition Blackpool. I myself will be away down the South Coast this weekend before heading off to Europe in two monthsâ time for a week long Holiday⦠There will be a couple more preview threads to come over the summer what with the Transfer Window reopening and of course the new season starting but just want to wish everyone a great summer and thank you for allowing me to produce these match previews⦠See You Next Season!! The Relegation Battle With the four clubs mentioned all requiring a result it is probably Birmingham City who have one of the easier tasks ahead, away at Bolton theyâve the better Goal Difference and should Doncaster fail to get a result (whilst Birmingham draw) then Doncaster will be down in Birminghamâs place. Of course should Birmingham fail to even get a draw then it doesnât matter what happens elsewhere⦠Should Birmingham and Doncaster both win though and Millwall fail themselves then the latter will be relegated whilst should all three teams win and Blackpool lose against the Addicks then it will be back to League One again for the Seasiders⦠Of course should Blackpool get a result (draw or win) on Saturday then theyâll survive regardless what happens elsewhere. A4Lâs Relegated Side: Birmingham City Blackpool the Stats (Home) Matches: 22 â Wins: 7 â Draws: â 6 â Defeats: - 9 Goals Scored: 20 â Goals Conceded: 24 â Clean Sheets: 8 Biggest Victory: 2-0 (Sheffield Wednesday⦠November) Biggest Defeat: 1-3 (Derby County... April) Top Goal Scorer: Riccardo Fuller (6-goals) Second: Steve Davies (3-goals) â Third: Andy Keogh (3-goals) Possible Side to face Blackpool Hamer Solly â Morrison â Dervite â Fox Cousins â Poyet Wilson â Jackson â Harriott Sordell Substitutes Bench Thuram â Wood â Hughes â Petrucci â Ajdarevic â Ghoochanneijad â Obika A4Lâs Prediction: 1-0 (Sordell)
A hearty thank you for all these terrific preview threads, A4L. Sterling work. Blackpool needing only a draw to guarantee survival means this could be a very dull game. I hope we don't switch off, if nothing else then for all the supporters who've made the long journey up to Blackpool for a ridiculous kick-off time. I would like to see Lennon get a game in his preferred position at CB, plus Pigott could do with a run-out in the first team in a much less-pressurised atmosphere. 2-0 Blackpool.
Agreed both on the thanks for the posts throughout the season and the nod for Pigott to start tomorrow. Reckon there's a good chance Andy Hughes will get a 5 minute cameo at the end, can't see him playing next season but hopefully he'll stay at the club in some capacity. Hope we put on a show, and not sure Riga will want to end the season on a whimper... but think Blackpool will get the point they need. 2-2 (Dervite, Pigott (pen))
Just arrived at Preston's finest establishment: Premier Inn. Little PEA is watching Red Dwarf on the portable DVD player, and I'm about to input twenty packets of World Cup stickers into the album. 1-0 to the Addicks. Great work again, A4L. We're lucky to have you. COYR!
I thought that was his "departing legend" cameo on Tuesday? He has only played 25 games for us (including sub appearances) over three seasons. While I like the guy (I think we all do, one of the few players here no-one has had a go at) I am not sure that contribution deserves any special recognition.
Amen to that! Yes, they have something to play for. We don't. We have seen how that works. Beat the Massive and Watford who were already on their holidays, but lost at home to Blackburn who were still trying hard. Might as well field players who do have some incentive to give their all. I see no point in playing any loan player except Obika, whom we presumably signed with a view to a permanent contract. and Petrucci if that applies there too (though I assume not). And no point in playing those who will be leaving, including all the eurotrash. I would like to rest Solly and Wilson but we have no other effective right-back so perhaps they could play half a game each if fit. So: Hamer Solly/Wilson, Morrison, Lennon, Fox Muldoon (or Munns?), Cousins, Poyet, Harriott Pigott, Obika If Muldoon is not up to it and Munns will be leaving then (regretfully) Green or Pritchard. Phillips, Dervite, Holmes-Dennis, Jackson, Daniel, Sho-Silva, Church Incidentally I woke myself and the girlfriend up this morning by screaming as Hariott slalomed in from the left past three defenders and hit a 30 yarder into the roof of the nett to put us 5-1 up. It wasn't like one of my usual dreams, in which Charlton would have been playing the match in Santa outfits inside Waterloo Station and with my long-dead Auntie Rita in goal, so we can hold out some hop of an augury.
Munns won't be leaving he has got a contract for next season. The lads in the U21s who I think will be leaving are Kevin Feely, Bradley Jordan, Ade Azeez. U18s who I think will be going are Mikhael Kennedy, Harry Doherty. I hope that Olly Muldoon gets a contract, but I have not heard anything.
Probably... but it's clear from his interactions with the team he's not just been there for his playing time (thank God)
And so the journey begins. Dragging along a neutral today who is already questioning the near 4 hour journey to watch us even though we are now playing for nothing. As a betting man, with blackpool needing a point (I have that right?) my money will go on the draw in an accum and under 0.5 in a double. I'd personally like us to really go for it and finish higher than 'udders but I'm sure the boys would have had a celebration Monday night. A4L - brilliant job with the threads this season. Some amazing work and it's massively appreciated. Thanks also to CB for the match updates, and to all contributors to the site! It's been a turbulent season - but today we can look forward to a match rather than worry and forced to look over our shoulder. COYR
Morning all Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Fox, Dervite, Morrison; Cousins, Poyet, Jackson, Harriott, Ajdarevic; Sordell Subs: Phillips, Church, Obika, Wood, Petrucci, Lennon, Pigott Blackpool: Gilks, McMahon, McGahey, Cathcart, Halliday, Perkins, Osbourne, Basham, Bishop, Dobbie, Keogh Subs: Halstead, Angel, Haroun, Grandin, Barkhuizen, Goodwillie, Fuller So we go 4-5-1 again with The Asteroid in for Solly, with Wilson moving to right back. Lennon and Phillips are on the bench. Fuller is a sub for Blackpool. For the last time this season... COYA!
