Leeds United v Charlton Athletic Tuesday 04 November 2014 7:45pm Kick-Off INTRODUCTION The Addicks return to the road once more this Tuesday night with the first of some evil midweek fixture pairings as they make the trip up to Yorkshire, Elland Road and a club once more in turmoil… Of course our opposition this Tuesday night is none other than Leeds United, before moving on to the next round of Championship fixtures though its look back at the Weekend just gone. - For Charlton Athletic it was yet another draw (No. X to be precise), Sheffield Wednesday came to town along with an ex-Real Madrid Midfielder (in Royston Drenthe) whole in the First-Half stole the show and ensured that the away side went into the break ahead… the Addicks would rally though and a returning Igor Vetokele would ensure the points were shared… 1-1 the score. - Leeds United on the other hand would travel to Cardiff City who are enjoying bit of a honeymoon period under new Manager Russell Slade, with the score goalless come the break, Cardiff would go on to win the match comfortable in the second half… Final Score 3-1 THE OPPOSITION As you can see… Leeds United haven’t been the most consistent of sides this season, not helped by their eccentric owner: Massimo Cellino (who would take over in the Boardroom in April 2014), Leeds have had four Managers in the last four months alone (taking the phrase: Manager of the Month to a whole new level) - New man in charge: Neil Redfearn has already been in charge at Leeds on four separate occasions as Caretaker Manager over recent years (not to mention one period this season already), yet after the recent sacking of Darko Milanic, Redfearn was finally put in permanent charge, signing a 12-month rolling contact, how long will that last though? (Did you know: Redfearn played 760 times in League Football; putting him in fifth place in the Football League all time records) - Massimo Cellino has no excuse though, he’s no stranger to Football following his ownership of Italian club: Cagliari, nicknamed “the Manager Eater” (Who knows what that translates into Italian as)… Did you know: Massimo Cellino’s nickname is well deserved with the Italian having sacked 36 Managers in his 22-year spell in Italy). - One to watch from the Leeds squad tomorrow night has to be England Midfielder: Lewis Cook, after making his debut for the Leeds First-Team against Bolton Wanderers back in August, Cook has yet to look back and has appeared in every game since… Did you know: Lewis Cook was part of the England U17 side that won Euro 2014 this summer alongside our own Joe Gomez. PAST SEASONS Last season between these two sides was a pretty even affair, with the Addicks ultimately finishing just six points and three places behind their Yorkshire opposition… As per usual the Head2Head meetings between these sides favour our opposition with Leeds having won on 22-occasions whilst Charlton have only won 14-times. - At Elland Road last season, the Addicks would take all three points with Reza Ghoochanniejad scoring his only goal in Charlton colours… It has actually been 14-years (the year: 2000) since Leeds last won at home against the Addicks as they would record a 3-1 victory. - Unfortunately though the match at the Valley last season will probably always be known as the Ross McCormack show… the Addicks would lose 4-2 this time last November with the Scottish Striker scoring all four of Leeds’ goals. CHARLTON TEAM NEWS With Johann Gudmundsson and Igor Vetokele returning from the bench against Sheffield Wednesday on the Weekend, possible starts could materialise, although Bob Peeters could decide to ease the Midfielder and Striker back into the First-Team in which case places on the bench would be most likely. Charlton fans were greeted with the news today that Arsenal Midfielder: Francis Coquelin had signed on loan until December, with Bulot and Gomez already out, Coquelin could either appear in the heart of Midfield giving Johnnie Jackson or Jordan Cousins a rest whilst he could also deputise at Right-Back as Chris Solly is expected to continue with his midweek breaks. LINE-UP Henderson Coquelin – Ben-Haim – Bikey – Wiggins Wilson – Buyens – Jackson – Cousins Tucudean – Moussa Substitutes Bench Pope – Fox – Onyewu – Harriott – Gudmundsson – Ahearne-Grant – Vetokele PREDICTION I leave you this week with my customary Pre-Match prediction, with Neil Redfearn taking charge on a permanent basis for the first time at Elland Road, Leeds will be looking to bounce back following their Saturday defeat, if Vetokele and Gudmundsson are rested (as expected) you could see a Norwich away style performance… Enjoy the match and I’ll be back this Saturday for the Reading match Leeds United 1-1 Charlton Athletic (Vetokele)
Good thread. Bigger picture if either side lose tomorrow it will be a long hard winter looking over the shoulder and hoping not to slip into the relegation dog fight. If any of you are coming up , have a safe trip.
Great work, A4L. I'm assuming Bikey's erratic Saturday performance was a one-off, think we'll get a 0-0 out of this one.
The pre match pessimism is back for me. I just keep thinking Leeds poor recent form against us at elland road has to end soon. So not the most logical of thinking, but what's on my mind none the less. No trip up for me unfortunately. Though I can live without the heavy handed stewards and spending more time arguing with them rather than watching the game (sorry glory). That said, I think we will be able to collect a point. I'm going for my 303rd 1-1 draw prediction of the season.
At least you wouldn't have made the 200 mile trip and be stood outside at kick off time whilst a bloke mops water off the pitch. Like I was at yours last year.
After predicting the first ten matches incorrectly, I am now on a roll, with 4 of the last 5 right. 2-0 to Leeds for me. Nothing wrong with our defence but they come under unreasonable pressure with us having no strike force, and can be excused the occasional slip-up.
Agree with eddie, hard to see us scoring tonight unless Igor starts. Anyone else remember Neil Redfearn in his one season as a player with us. Our club record signing at the time from Barnsley. Turned out to be utter sh!te.
Yep - he arrived with a good reputation, but we got him 2 years too late. By the end of it he was walking out to moans and groans. I'm sure that he will be eager to put one over us tonight.
Leeds will be missing Austin and Sharp according to reports. Let's hope we can get 30minutes minimum from Vetokele and JBG.
Antenucci and Steve Morison (remember him) are a decent pairing up front for us. Billy wouldn't be a likely starter imho as he has been a bit disappointing since joining us.
Fair play - would you have prefered Morison up top then? He's never seemed to replicate his Millwall heroics with you?
He had a really good first half in the last home game against Wolves playing in the middle, then our then head coach switched him to the right wing for God knows what reason. The rest as they say is history. Morison puts himself about and we need someone doing that while we are playing all these kids.
Evening all Charlton: Henderson; Wilson, Wiggins, Ben Haim, Bikey; Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins, Harriott; Tucudean Subs: Pope, Moussa, Vetokele, Onyewu, Coquelin, Fox, Ahearne-Grant Leeds: Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Cooper, Warnock, Cook, Mowatt, Bianchi, Adryan, Doukara, Antenucci Subs: S Taylor, Berardi, C Taylor, Tonge, Dawson, Sloth, Montenegro Wilson in for Solly, Harriott and JBG in for Moussa and KAG. Tucudean retains his place. New boy Coqulin is on the bench, alongside Igor. Leeds appear to have an entire country on the bench. COYA!
Glad to see cousins in the middle, and assume buyens will get to move forward more. A shame it's a game too soon for vetokele - but even if he gets half hour you fancy him to score. Feel slightly more optimistic, and hope the harriots can show BP what he's made of.
Doukara slides in to meet a cross but it goes wide. Bikey and Ben Haim had left it for each other to deal with.
The official Charlton Twitter account is saying we've lined up 4-3-3 with Harriott and JBG alongisde Tucudean.
