Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic Match Thread

Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic

Sunday 9th March 2014
12pm Kick-Off
Referee: Lee Mason

Wow… Who would have thought that back in August we’d still in the FA Cup after the first Weekend in January (Whoops I meant in the FA Cup come March), but here we are and for the first time since 2006 when Charlton were defeated by Middlesbrough… the Addicks find themselves in the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup, just two games from glory and just the one game stands between Charlton and a trip to Wembley for the first time since 1998 (and notably our opponents that day: Sunderland, still remain in the competition)

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves… After all Sheffield Wednesday our opponents in the last round did that, they were the team to safely go through, swatting us aside with ease because the prospect of a big Steel City Derby in the next round apparently guarantees you victory in the FA Cup, well let me remind you… this is the FA Cup it’s not the Scottish Cup, the Copa Del Rey or the Copa Italia… It’s the FA Cup the greatest club competition in the world and anything can happen… Our opponents this Weekend: Sheffield United, have already proven that!!

Sheffield United this Season
After being title rivals in our League One winning season and narrowly missing out in the Play-Off Semi-Finals against Yeovil last season many would have Sheffield United as favourites this year but with a new Manager in David Weir, the Blades have struggled this season and have found themselves in relegation troubles and in October Weir was relieved of his duties and was replaced by ex-Derby Manager: Nigel Clough.

Since the replacement, things have looked much better for Sheffield United and in the 26 matches under Clough only five matches have been lost and only six games have been drawn (with only three defeats at Bramall Lane this season).

Sheffield United in the FA Cup
The Blades have a good record in the FA Cup… Winners on four occasions (1899 / 1902 / 1915 / 1925) they’ve also reached the Semi-Finals on three occasions in the last 20 years (Beaten in 1993 by Sheffield Wednesday, in 1998 by Newcastle United and in 2003 by Arsenal)… their last visit to the Quarter-Finals was in 2004 when they lost to Sunderland.

Their road to the Quarter-Finals hasn’t been easy this time out either and victories over Colchester United, Cambridge United, Aston Villa, Fulham and Nottingham Forest mean that now only Charlton Athletic stand between them and a date with Wembley.

Charlton in the FA Cup
Usually in this part of the Thread I’ll go through the matches that Charlton have already played yet I won’t bother this time seeing I’ve already done it twice before in previous rounds, instead I’m just going to look back on historic Quarter-Final ties…

2006 – Middlesbrough 4-2 Charlton Athletic (Replay… 0-0 in first tie)
2000 – Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Charlton Athletic
1994 – Manchester United 3-1 Charlton Athletic
1947 – Charlton Athletic 2-1 Preston North End
1946 – Charlton Athletic (6) 3-1 (3) Brentford (Charlton won 9-4 on Agg)

So there you have it… This is only the sixth appearance in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals for the Addicks (having won on two occasions and having lost three times) yet from that there are two very interesting stats… Firstly should Charlton make the Semi-Finals, Chris Powell will become only the second Charlton Manager to reach that stage of the competition (Jimmy Seed the other) whilst most importantly… Charlton have never lost an FA Cup Semi-Final BUT we’ve got to get there first!!
 
Charlton Team News
Whilst I wasn’t in attendance last night there was some interesting news that came out of the VIP meeting last night in terms of injuries… Chris Solly has once again begun running again so could appear before the end of the season whilst Leon Cort has resumed full training (Chris Powell has confirmed that both will require U21 matches before coming back for the First-Team though).

In other injury news both Michael Morrison and Simon Church suffered knocks against Leicester City last weekend so could be in doubt for the FA Cup clash this Sunday (Church was rested by Wales midweek).

Possible Team to Face Sheffield United
Hamer
Wilson – Morrison – Wood – Wiggins
Cousins – Poyet
Harriott – Ajdarevic – Jackson
Tudgay

Substitutes Bench
Thuram – Fox – Dervite – Green – Church – Ghoochanneijad – Sordell

The Referee – Lee Mason
As we’ve once again reached the important stages of the FA Cup it means we once again are “lucky” to receive a high profiled Referee in Lee Mason of the Premier League… Despite having been an official in the top Division since 2006 he has yet to take charge of either Charlton or Sheffield United in a competitive match.

Travelling From: Lancashire
Matches This Season: 25 (3 in the FA Cup)
Yellow / Red Cards: 84 / 4
Penalties: 3

A4L’s Prediction: 1-1 (Wood)​

 

Love the look of that team, having 3 creative forces higher up in the midfield as opposed to a 4-5-1 would show we mean business. Hopefully Ajdarevic can show his quality and get some balls in to dangerous areas. That said, I think I agree with your result, and wouldn't even bet against the goalscorer. I think we will get an equaliser with 20 minutes to go to force the replay.

 

Hamer
Wilson – Morrison – Wood – Wiggins
Cousins – Poyet
Harriott – Ajdarevic – Jackson
Tudgay

This is pretty much what I'd go with too A4L...

Although I'd be tempted to chuck Reza up top instead of Tudgay.

 

I really like the look of that team too, A4L

Tudgay has form against Sheffield United ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzfQcQp7C5c ), so let's hope he starts and does something similar.

I think we can win it.

1-0 Charlton, Jackson with the goal.

 

I quite like your team, A4L, and it might give us the best chance of winning.

But we have three vitally important, and winnable, league matches within the following nine days. As our run-in looks difficult, we need to get at least 5 points, and maybe 7, out of these. And after that three we go on playing two matches a week for the remainder of the season against opponents who have had more opportunities to take a break.

This weekend therefore represents our last chance to rest our key players and also to protect our vulnerable players before a physically tough match against Huddersfield and a possibly over-competitive one against Millwall.

I would therefore field this team on Sunday:

Thuram-Ulien
Nego, Devite, Lennon, Fox
Green, Pritchard, Jordan, Daniel
Ghoochanejhad, Parzyszek

Am I kidding? I suppose so, because I know that won't happen. But at the end of the season, if we get relegated by a single point (and that is often the case), we might well wish we had done just that.

On the other hand, if RD is determined to get us relegated and will do whatever it takes to achieve that end (and he is making good progress so far with the transfers of Stephens, Alnwick and, most critically, Kermorgant, with only a gaggle of Euro-trash to replace them, plus the failure to renew contracts for playing and coaching staff), then we might as well see how far we can get in the Cup. A Wembley appearance against Arsenal or Manchester City would be something to talk about on the long trip back from Carlisle or Tranmere next January.

 

spot on A4L... would like Polish Pete on the bench at least though, surely he has to be given a chance soon

 

Add Content

 

Wise words, indeed!

 

It won't show my picture. It's £50 on charlton, £50 on 1-2. It's not every day you're in the quarter finals.

 

Tudgay is Hated. For His Wendy Connections. Disgrace Mid Day Kick Off Time. Man City v Wigan. On Same Channel. Surely Made More Sense for That to Be Dinner Time KO. Great you are Bringing 5000 Fans. When No Train. Even Some Blades Fans. Are Complaining that They Cannot make it. Sunny Day. Full House. Have Plenty of Time for Charlton. Good Traditional Club. I Think Draw Also. Though We Have a Good Chance for Home Win. We Will Have Great Support. Special Day.

 

Ecstatic to be watching tonight ! Only 2nd viewing of CAFC that has been possible this season down here.

I smell a victory.

 

I hope you lose.

You won't win the cup anyway, sooner or later you will play someone decent.but if you stay in you will be relegated and as decent club you are better in this league than three or four other clubs round you. Your squad isn't big enough or good enough to cope with this cup run.

Sorry guys.

 

The last one must have been a joy for you to watch. I enjoyed that trip to the valley even though ur pitch nearly had it called off.

 

Morning all

Charlton: Hamer; Wilson, Wiggins, Morrison, Wood; Cousins, Poyet, Jackson, Harriott,; Tudgay, Church

Subs: Thuram-Ulien, Hughes, Dervite, Green, Ghoochannejhad, Nego, Ajdarević

So 4-4-2, The Asteroid drops to the bench and Tudgay starts up front with Church. Looks like Cousins will be on the right again

 

Sheffield United: Howard, Harris, Brayford, Maguire, Flynn, Doyle, Baxter, Collins, Coady, Scougall, Murphy

Subs: Hill, Porter, Miller, McGinn, Davies, Long, Freeman

 

It's frustrating you cannot just press a button and watch any match u wish, for every weekend fixture i mean.



Thanks for the teams Captain

 

We're under way.

 

Does anyone have a decent link where I can watch it online?

 

http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=249848&part=sports

Then choose the nutjob option, it's working a dream for me.

 

Maguire heads a Baxter corner well over the bar.