Brentford v Charlton Athletic
Saturday 9th August 2014
3pm Kick-Off
Referee: James Adcock
And so here we are again⦠With the new season looming its time for the matches that matter to begin, for the past two months; Managers have had the opportunity to tinker with line-ups, try new tactics and brings in new faces in attempt to either win the Championship title, reach the play-offs, fight for mid-table or even just stave off Relegation - Yet pre-season is over now ladies and gents⦠46 League games, home and away⦠23 teams stand between Charlton Athletic and their destiny⦠It all begins away at newly promoted Brentford.
The summer of 2014 has been that of transition for the Addicks this year⦠with a late start to proceedings the first change was to bring in highly rated Belgian Manager: Bob Peeters, since then the likes of Stephen Henderson, Tal Ben-Haim, Andre Bikey, Johann Gudmundsson, Yoni Buyens, Frank Moussa, Igor Vetokele and George Tucudean have all arrived at the Valley... Of course there have been outgoings from the Valley as well most notably Dorian Dervite, Ben Hamer and Diego Poyet all moving to pastures new after turning down Contract offers from the club.
Of course this wonât be Charltonâs first opening day match against Promoted or Relegated opposition with matches against Sc**thorpe United, Swansea City and Birmingham City along with AFC Bournemouth last season providing new opposition for the season ahead, even rarer is it for Charlton to play away on the first day of the season with this only being the fourth time since 2005 that it has happened. (Unfortunately for Charlton fans this is also the last time we won away on the opening day⦠a 2-0 victory up at Sunderland), with one draw and two defeats since then.
The Opposition â Brentford
One of the strongest teams in League One for the past two years, most fans wouldnât begrudge Brentford their place in the Championship at long last, outside of Englandâs 2nd Tier since 1994, Brentford should have been promoted last season after a strong showing which led them to Wembley and the Play-Off Finals (where they lost 1-0 to Yeovil Town)⦠Last season though they werenât to be denied and were in a three way fight for promotion with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leyton Orient all the way to the end before comfortably securing second place (Even after the departure of Manager: Uwe Rosler to Wigan Athletic).
Brentford have strengthened this summer with the likes of highly rated Midfielder: Alex Pritchard signing on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Lower-League Strikers; Scott Hogan (from Rochdale) and Andre Gray (from Luton Town) and speedy winger Moses Odubajo from Leyton Orient â In terms of reunions.. David Button and Alan McCormack could appear against their old club Charlton, whilst now departed Striker Bradley Wright-Phillips also has connections with both clubs after spending time on loan at Brentford in 2013.
Last Charlton Victory at Brentford
Thankfully the last time the Addicks won at Brentford was the last time the two teams lined up against each other⦠In 2013, the Addicks visited Griffin Park well on their way to the League One title with nothing stopping them on their way⦠a 1-0 win courtesy of a Bradley Wright-Phillips tap in ensured all three points travelled back across to the South East London.
Charlton Team News
With so many new faces in the Addicks Squad this season its hard to see which team Bob Peeters could pick⦠With Chris Solly forever having injury concerns it remains to be seen whether he appears at Right-Back or whether Lawrie Wilson deputises⦠Goalkeeper: Stephen Henderson should occupy the number one spot this Weekend but will be pushed all season by highly rated youngster Nick Pope⦠In Defence is the other questionable position as it also remains to be seen who will occupy the Centre-Back slot alongside Michael Morrison or whether Tal Ben-Haim and Andre Bikey will take both slots, up front Igor Vetokele should make his League debut with Frank Moussa (Midfield) the only injury worry at present.
 
Possible Line-Up Against Brentford
Henderson
Solly â Morrison â Ben-Haim â Wiggins
Gudmundsson â Cousins â Jackson â Harriott
Tucudean â Vetokele
Substitutes Bench
Pope â Fox â Bikey â Gomez â Buyens â Church â Pigott
A4Lâs Prediction: 1-1 (Vetokele)
Over to Captain Blackadder for the Match Updates (If able to do them this season)
Saturday 9th August 2014
3pm Kick-Off
Referee: James Adcock
And so here we are again⦠With the new season looming its time for the matches that matter to begin, for the past two months; Managers have had the opportunity to tinker with line-ups, try new tactics and brings in new faces in attempt to either win the Championship title, reach the play-offs, fight for mid-table or even just stave off Relegation - Yet pre-season is over now ladies and gents⦠46 League games, home and away⦠23 teams stand between Charlton Athletic and their destiny⦠It all begins away at newly promoted Brentford.
The summer of 2014 has been that of transition for the Addicks this year⦠with a late start to proceedings the first change was to bring in highly rated Belgian Manager: Bob Peeters, since then the likes of Stephen Henderson, Tal Ben-Haim, Andre Bikey, Johann Gudmundsson, Yoni Buyens, Frank Moussa, Igor Vetokele and George Tucudean have all arrived at the Valley... Of course there have been outgoings from the Valley as well most notably Dorian Dervite, Ben Hamer and Diego Poyet all moving to pastures new after turning down Contract offers from the club.
Of course this wonât be Charltonâs first opening day match against Promoted or Relegated opposition with matches against Sc**thorpe United, Swansea City and Birmingham City along with AFC Bournemouth last season providing new opposition for the season ahead, even rarer is it for Charlton to play away on the first day of the season with this only being the fourth time since 2005 that it has happened. (Unfortunately for Charlton fans this is also the last time we won away on the opening day⦠a 2-0 victory up at Sunderland), with one draw and two defeats since then.
The Opposition â Brentford
One of the strongest teams in League One for the past two years, most fans wouldnât begrudge Brentford their place in the Championship at long last, outside of Englandâs 2nd Tier since 1994, Brentford should have been promoted last season after a strong showing which led them to Wembley and the Play-Off Finals (where they lost 1-0 to Yeovil Town)⦠Last season though they werenât to be denied and were in a three way fight for promotion with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leyton Orient all the way to the end before comfortably securing second place (Even after the departure of Manager: Uwe Rosler to Wigan Athletic).
Brentford have strengthened this summer with the likes of highly rated Midfielder: Alex Pritchard signing on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Lower-League Strikers; Scott Hogan (from Rochdale) and Andre Gray (from Luton Town) and speedy winger Moses Odubajo from Leyton Orient â In terms of reunions.. David Button and Alan McCormack could appear against their old club Charlton, whilst now departed Striker Bradley Wright-Phillips also has connections with both clubs after spending time on loan at Brentford in 2013.
Last Charlton Victory at Brentford
Thankfully the last time the Addicks won at Brentford was the last time the two teams lined up against each other⦠In 2013, the Addicks visited Griffin Park well on their way to the League One title with nothing stopping them on their way⦠a 1-0 win courtesy of a Bradley Wright-Phillips tap in ensured all three points travelled back across to the South East London.
Charlton Team News
With so many new faces in the Addicks Squad this season its hard to see which team Bob Peeters could pick⦠With Chris Solly forever having injury concerns it remains to be seen whether he appears at Right-Back or whether Lawrie Wilson deputises⦠Goalkeeper: Stephen Henderson should occupy the number one spot this Weekend but will be pushed all season by highly rated youngster Nick Pope⦠In Defence is the other questionable position as it also remains to be seen who will occupy the Centre-Back slot alongside Michael Morrison or whether Tal Ben-Haim and Andre Bikey will take both slots, up front Igor Vetokele should make his League debut with Frank Moussa (Midfield) the only injury worry at present.
 
Possible Line-Up Against Brentford
Henderson
Solly â Morrison â Ben-Haim â Wiggins
Gudmundsson â Cousins â Jackson â Harriott
Tucudean â Vetokele
Substitutes Bench
Pope â Fox â Bikey â Gomez â Buyens â Church â Pigott
A4Lâs Prediction: 1-1 (Vetokele)
Over to Captain Blackadder for the Match Updates (If able to do them this season)

By whom?