Charlton Athletic v Oxford United Tuesday 14th January 2014 7:45pm Kick-Off Referee: Stephen Martin So the festive fixture period is done and dusted and after coming through four fixtures against Bolton Wanderers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town (gaining 7 points in the process), Chris Powell will be no doubt be delighted with the battling spirit of the side. And so we move on to one most anticipated Weekends in the football calendar… the FA Cup 3rd Round, a time of giantkilling and cup-upsets (Oh and Manchester United being on the TV once again), and Charlton will certainly be hoping that they don’t come fowl of lower-league opposition as for the second time this season they find themselves lining up against Oxford United. Charlton in the FA Cup Even though I’m sure no 606er was around back then I can imagine a Charlton fan not knowing about the 40s when the Addicks twice visited Wembley for the FA Cup Final… Of course in ’46 they came up short against Derby County and ultimately lost 4-1, yet just one year later Jimmy Seed took his side back to Wembley and it certainly was a case of second time lucky as the Addicks beat Burnley 1-0 (their only success in the competition to date). Since that day… Charlton have only managed to reach the Quarter-Finals on three occasions… In 1994 they were defeated 3-1 at Manchester United… In 2000 they were beaten 2-0 at Bolton Wanderers and in 2005, Charlton lost 4-2 in a replay at Middlesbrough – Whatever happens this Saturday, Charlton I’m sure will be looking to do better after defeat season in the 3rd Round (a 1-0 defeat at home to Huddersfield) meant their FA Cup campaign was pretty much over before it began. Oxford in the FA Cup After a brief hunt through the Oxford archives, this is the second season on the trot where Oxford have made the 3rd Round on that occasion they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United, further research shows their strongest season in the FA Cup was back in 1964 when they were defeated in the Quarter-Finals by eventual runners-up… Preston North End. In total Oxford have made the fifth round on four occasions, the fourth round on ten occasions (their last appearance at that stage was in 1999) and have made the third round on a total of seventeen times. Past Cup Meetings Whilst Charlton and Oxford have never met in the FA Cup before, they have met in the League Cup on five occasions (most notably in the first round this season) – In each of the previous meetings, Charlton have won twice, two matches have been drawn (requiring replays) whilst one match has resulted in penalties (which resulted in an Oxford win, their only cup win over Charlton) 06.08.2013 – Charlton 4-0 Oxford (Church (2), Green, Pigott) 01.10.2002 – Charlton 0-0 Oxford (Oxford won 6-5 on penalties) 29.09.1975 – Oxford 2-3 Charlton (2nd Replay – After Extra-Time) 17.09.1975 – Oxford 1-1 Charlton (1st Replay) 09.09.1975 – Charlton 3-3 Oxford Charlton Team News After I predicted that Ben Hamer would be out for a while longer… Chris Powell went and ruined my preview against Ipswich by naming him on the bench, so fit once again he’ll be fighting with Ben Alnwick for a place in goal… Marvin Sordell is our latest injury concern after picking up a hamstring injury against Ipswich, whilst Cameron Stewart may have made his last appearance for the Addicks as his initial loan spell has now expired… Michael Smith is cup-tied (after playing for Wimbledon against Coventry in the first round) whilst Jordan Cook, Joe Pigott and possibly Morgan Fox (back from his loan spell at Notts County) will be hopeful of starting berths Possible Team to face Oxford Hamer Wilson – Dervite – Lennon – Evina Green – Pritchard – Jackson – Cook Church – Pigott Substitutes Bench Alnwick – Fox – Morrison – Stephens – Poyet – Hughes – Kermorgant The Referee Travelling From: Staffordshire Matches This Season: 13 (6 in the Championship) Yellow / Red Cards: 18 / 1 Penalties: 0 Last Charlton Match: 27.10.2013 (Charlton 0-0 Wigan) A4L’s Prediction: 3-0 (Church, Jackson, Green)
Oxford prefer playing away, as their home form is costing them in the promotion race. That said, they seem to be on the slide overall, so think they will welcome the change in competition and against a side 2 leagues higher. The previous game was probably most notable for Cousins coming on for his debut, and not looking back. It would be nice if another youngster could do the same again. The obvious choice for several on this forum seems to be Poyet, but he has his work cut out if he were to replace the impressive combination of Stephens and Cousins. However, this surely would be a good opportunity to see him in action should the worst happen to either the first choice centre midfield partnership If the Harriotts are still injured then I think JJ will slot in on the left with Cook on the right. Green hasn't had a future for a long time so think it's a waste to start him, even though I think Cook's future is heading in a similar direction. I just expect Green to go sooner rather than later. Hopefully Poyet will get his chance, and agree that Pritchard will probably slot in to the middle. The 2 strikers seem the obvious choice too. I won't be attending. I've never disguised my dislike for the cup competitions. A win gets us about 100k, which without a takeover does make a minimal difference. I'll go for a 2-1 to Charlton, with the victory being as pretty as the pitch.
I won't be attending either. I get too cheesed off when we lose, even in the Cup, and years of experience have taught me what to expect on Saturday. I hope CP gives Poyet a go and rests all of our key players on that pitch.
When we lost 2-1 to Leicester in the 5th Round (?) one year with Dion Dublin I swore I wouldnt attend another cup match... Although I didnt keep that promise to myself I wont be attending the Oxford match, went to the League Cup match at the start of the season and may have gone had it been another new team we hadnt faced in an age (i.e. Port Vale / Plymouth etc..)
I won't be there either as I have a family do. It would be great, as Super says, to see Poyet get a chance, even if it's about the worst possible pitch on which to make your debut. Pigott, too, could use another run out in the first team to try and shake the demons of the Millwall performance off. We shouldn't underestimate Oxford, though; Kitson in particular is still a decent player and will cause us problems. I reckon they could easily nick a draw, so 1-1 is my prediction.
Great preview. I swore after the third round game against WBA a few years ago that I wouldn't repeat the FA Cup third round experience and I have been true to my word since. Wild horses would not drag me there on Saturday (especially as it's bound to be off!). I went to the milk/worthington/capitalone/whateverthephukitscalledthisyear cup tie against Oxford in August and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, that was a sunny summers evening when we had been starved of footy for a while and I got to sit in the East Stand. The spurious last bit aside, this is a different tank of tadpoles and I can muster no interest whatsoever. Hopefully the team will look a bit like it did that night and Poyet jr can try out his water wings. But tbh I really couldn't care less.
I won't be going half the ground shut no atmosphere nearly as many away fans as home fans a second string team on the pitch and can't use me season ticket ...not for me to be honest
Will decide Saturday morning if I'm going, but I doubt it, as has been stated, no atmosphere in cup games and not exactly the most exciting draw.
Apparently will now be played next Wednesday on the 8th... Doesnt give the pitch long to recover till Barnsley
I agree and the fact it's now a week night will mean even less will attend the game. But judging by the weather reports I reckon Wednesday will also be in doubt.
I know we were ex-Prem blah blah blah but at least its not as bad as Crawley Town... Their 2nd Round replay against Bristol Rovers has been called off for a second time (after being abandoned half-way through the original replay) That could cause havoc for Birmingham City's fixture list as well who are just above us (who havent been taken over either lol!)
The Wednesday date very unlikely apparently so does it take preference over the league game v Barnsley I hope not
AAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I got out of this game by arranging a family event to coincide. Now I'll end up going. Can't see any football at the Valley until there's a prolonged dry spell.
If not settled before on a free midweek evening it would take place on the 4th Round weekend (25th/26th January). I have just realised that there is a full Championship programme that Saturday. We are at home to Bournemouth. In the old days, both the 3rd Round and 4th Round dates were kept free. It was only from the 5th Round onwards that clubs still in the cup would have had to postpone league matches. Two clubs knocked out in the 3rd Round could rearrange a League match on the 4th Round date if they wanted. They might prefer to bring forward a scheduled midweek match (to get a bigger crowd or to avoid having to play three matches in eight days). When did that system terminate? It could be seasons ago and I have simply not noticed.
Bornemouth's game was postponed aswell so will be interesting when they arrange theirs for. Exciting to be in the hat for the 4th round.
Maybe if we don't improve the pitch we can make it all the way to the draw for the semi-finals! I cannot see the groundstaff making huge efforts to play on Wednesday. The Good Doctor won't want a game before the vital Barnsley match. He probably locked away all the forks and "accidentally" lost the key.
I would imagine if the Wednesday game did go ahead and it was a draw we would then have the replay on the same weeknight? Not that I have checked when that would be....
