A return to the Valley this weekend for the visit of Reading. It's hard to know what to expect from them as their form has been indifferent since Steve Clark took over from Nigel Adkins. Their season now largely falls on their FA Cup semi final appearance, and will already have one eye on that game.
Due to their cup exploits, March has seen them play 3 league games - a win, a draw and a drubbing to in form Watford. Perhaps a more clearer indication of their league form we go back to February, where they lost 4 out of their 6 league games, though their two victories came away from home at the hands of Wolves and Ipswich. They seem happier away from home, much like us in our first season back in the Championship and have had a further day's rest as they played Bradford on Monday.
As for Charlton, a comfortable mid week win at lowly Blackpool was more the impressive as Guy rang the changes, with Gomez, Diarra, Eagles and Church coming in and all making a case for why they should start. Tony Watt took a bit of a battering on their ''pitch'' and Luzon was coy on whether he starts - though with the international break next week it might see him make this match and rest up in between.
Vetokele wasn't risked as he had a niggle to his achilles and would have been a disaster waiting to happen on that pitch, so it's possible he could return but if not Church will be ready to step in again. Luzon has been high in praise of the Welsh international, though any suggestion of a contract extension was palmed off till the end of the season.
Team:
Hendo
Solly - Johnson - TBH - Fox
JBG - Buyens - Cousins - Eagles
Watt - Church
I think Eagles will retain, but Buyens and TBH to be recalled. As you often see, a cup semi final plays on individuals minds, no matter how Steve Clarke will want them to forget it come 3pm Saturday. They do travel well, but I see a BTTS win for us.
2-1 - Cousins and JBG.
Due to their cup exploits, March has seen them play 3 league games - a win, a draw and a drubbing to in form Watford. Perhaps a more clearer indication of their league form we go back to February, where they lost 4 out of their 6 league games, though their two victories came away from home at the hands of Wolves and Ipswich. They seem happier away from home, much like us in our first season back in the Championship and have had a further day's rest as they played Bradford on Monday.
As for Charlton, a comfortable mid week win at lowly Blackpool was more the impressive as Guy rang the changes, with Gomez, Diarra, Eagles and Church coming in and all making a case for why they should start. Tony Watt took a bit of a battering on their ''pitch'' and Luzon was coy on whether he starts - though with the international break next week it might see him make this match and rest up in between.
Vetokele wasn't risked as he had a niggle to his achilles and would have been a disaster waiting to happen on that pitch, so it's possible he could return but if not Church will be ready to step in again. Luzon has been high in praise of the Welsh international, though any suggestion of a contract extension was palmed off till the end of the season.
Team:
Hendo
Solly - Johnson - TBH - Fox
JBG - Buyens - Cousins - Eagles
Watt - Church
I think Eagles will retain, but Buyens and TBH to be recalled. As you often see, a cup semi final plays on individuals minds, no matter how Steve Clarke will want them to forget it come 3pm Saturday. They do travel well, but I see a BTTS win for us.
2-1 - Cousins and JBG.