So, 6 points and 6 goals later an air of cautious optimism has crept back in to The Valley. RD's found some cash down the back of his couch in Liege and managed to muster up a couple of decent players in the process. A trip to the current division leaders is next, who have failed to pull away themselves as the top spot changes more than a Charlton manager. Their past 3 games should give us some optimism for getting a result: B'mouth 2-2 Derby (a game dominated by the home side) Rotherham 3-3 Derby (a later comeback saw Derby rescue a point) Derby 3-2 Massives (had to come from behind twice). Amongst those games they were knocked out of the FA cup at home to Reading. They've averaged 3 goals a game this month in the league, though the average for conceding is 2 per game. In context, we are averaging little over 2 goals per game for February, conceding at little over a goal a game. So the form table suggests we should be in for a goal fest (BTTS Result is worth looking at for the betters here, Charlton at a massive 12/1, the draw at 24/5). Talking Point - former Addicks hero Darren Bent faces his former club, and no one is more aware than Charlton fans of his goal scoring prowess. He's hitting form for Derby, scoring in his previous 4 outings. I think it's fair to assume this will be the biggest test of Johnson's short CAFC career. Darren Bent FGS is @ 7/2, anytime @ 5/4. Addicks Main Man - Igor Vetokele. His smile is back, as are the goals. The arrival of Tony Watt has a lot to do with this IMO, as he's more of a physical presence to defenders and allows Igor to get in the box and find space. Vetokele FGS is @ 9/1. Anytime a healthy 14/5. Charlton have no new injury concerns, with JJ being the most notable. It's possible Solly and Wiggins could be rested for the trip as both continue to have the fitness monitored closely (though it's worth pointing out 5ft 3 has started the last 5). Wilson and Fox could possibly deputise should Luzon make the change. Diarra may find himself on the bench, with goalscoring debutant, Chris Eagles. My personal line-up would be: Hendo Solly - Johnson - TBH - Wiggins JBG - Cousins - Buyens - Bulot Watt - Vetokele Same team as last time. I think it's important to keep the same team whilst confidence build and a good performance is the minimum tonight. My heart says it's a score draw, my head says 2-1 Derby. Watt with the goal.
I'll be there tonight, never been to Pride Park before. I'd keep the same lineup too, I heard Buyens was suspended was that incorrect? I'd drop him if we had anyone decent/match fot enough to come in but we don't. 2-2 draw my prediction, Watt and Igor, Bulot with both assists. Bent double for them
Diarra in for Buyens? Don't think Bent has ever played against Charlton before. He certainly hasn't since he left and when he was at Ipswich we were in the prem and they were in the championship, I think? After both teams have seen plenty of goals in recent games, what are the odds on 0-0 tonight!
Are you sure about Buyens? There's nothing about it on the OS. I expect him to be dropped anyway to make way for Diarra, Fox will keep his place because Wiggins isn't ready and Solly's knees appear to be up to 2 games in a week now (whether or not that's wise time will tell). Now that we have a manager who knows how to set up a balanced team I think we can give anyone in this division a game, but Derby will be just too strong for us and I'll go for 3-2.
The Buyens mystery solved - he has 10 yellows, but one of them was a second booking, for which he has already served a ban.Therefore that card is knocked off the aggregated total of bookings and he is officially on nine. If he gets another yellow card tonight, he will miss the next two games.
If Buyens plays tonight it might be worth a flutter on him getting himself booked. I wonder what odds you could get?
All the fault of Wilson and Fox, apparently. Just proves you can't trust these Johnny Foreigner don't care mercenary network players. Oh,er... hang on a minute...
2-0 after half time. Diarra comes on for Wilson. Feel for LW - I've never known him to play center mid.
