Date: Saturday, 13th August 2016 Kick Off: 3:00pm Venue: The Valley Not quite the start to the season that manager Russell Slade wanted. After two games it seems that the manager might have bitten off more than he can chew. During the summer, he had been mentioning a "fresh start" and a "new look Charlton" but another loss to newly promoted Northampton Town would certainly see the crowd turn and remain sceptical about his ability to see us back into The Championship or the regimes willingness to assist him. Though this is the first match of the season at The Valley, hostilities against the owner will not ease up, with a 1:30pm protest planned outside the North Stand by C.A.R.D. This will also be the first game in which we see what the crowds and atmosphere will be like; in all honesty I'm expecting a sub-10,000 crowd for this opening match. Since our 2-0 loss away to Bury we have added new editions to the squad in striker Josh Magennis from Kilmarnock for est. £275,000 and Jordan Botaka on loan form Leeds though we still are short of a few solid players. The Opposition We welcome Town manager Rob Page, who must be enjoying his start to the managing Northampton after Chris Wilder left for Sheffield United during the summer. The have registered a win again Barnsley in the EFL cup and opening day draw against Fleetwood Town. Northampton Town will certainly be up for this league match, given its the first time the two sides have met in 28 years. When speaking to the press, Rob Page hopes that the travelling fans will give former player Ricky Holmes, who made the switch to The Valley this summer, a warm reception. With no injury concerns Page will not have to make many changes from their opening match and team will be high on confidence following on from their League Two promotion campaign. Current Form **will be included after six matches Head-to-Head Record As I briefly mentioned above there had not been a meeting in over 28 years, which was cup matches. It has been 51 years since we last encountered Northampton Town on the league, way before my time. In this last league encounter, in the old division two, we ran out 3-0 winners. Given our current performance and owners, Northampton will see us as a scalp to take, it will not surprise me if we have to wait 52 years for our first league win over them. Team Lineup I don't expect to see many changes following the defeat to Bury, with the exception of Lookman starting, given his pace and ability to take players on, especially as Jackson has been ineffectual on the left wing. As the new signings will not be match ready, we can see them take a place on the bench. Match Odds Whilst the bookies are not giving Northampton much of a chance, given our current performance and relationship with the owner, it's pretty good odds on the draw or Northampton win. Week Two Fixtures Outcome If we don't come out aggressive from the start, dominating the game I can see the crowd turning on the team, with many "WE WANT ROLAND OUT" chants. If we go a goal down, we seem to struggle to get back into the game from what I have read. Given that they are newly promoted, Northampton seem like the have a point to prove and might edge the game over us. #COYA #RolandOut #MeireOut #MurrayOut
I expect Bauer to play, which is why I am predicting a draw, 0-0 or even 1-1. Tunnel jumps all round.
Top, top thread. I've gone for a charlton win. Perhaps I'm going a bit crazy being in an office by myself - with only a mini fridge to talk too - but I think we will somehow grind out a result. It won't be pretty, but going for a 1-0 win. The skip.
With no bosses or people around @SuperChrissyisfantasticPardswasatrocious, you can spend more time on Not606, or Facebook.
I'll be putting a BTTS draw in my accumulator and a bet on 1-1. Can't see us keeping a clean sheet - teams will bypass our midfield at will and I'm not particularly confident that we will keep them out.
I still don't think it's going to be a draw. Still a loss for us. Newly promoted team, or us? I've put a £10 on Northampton. If we win, brilliant; if not, £34 will be nice.
I notice you can't change your prediction. Anything to do with the smart-asses who changed their prediction when the game had finished?
Who else is proper wasted? ✋ And then said "I'm going to buy a ticket on the day?" Which I probably won't? Disgraceful! At only 7:30!
Only one day this weekend? Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday, shower my sins of yesterday's away. There's a beer festival in London Olympia if you lot are interested tomorrow?
