Date: Saturday, 7th May 2016 Kick-Off: 12:30pm Much like Game of Thrones, this season finale is one of a cliff hanger to see which teams obtain top spots, and yet for the second season running we will most likely see a club crowned champions. It's hardly surprising that Burnley FC have secured promotion to the Premier League first time asking, having kept the majority of their playing squad, including a few quality additions to their playing squad and maintaining faith in their manager, Sean Dyche, who deserves huge credit for their achievement. The clarets impressive run of results stretching back 22 games unbeaten helped them achieve promotion where others in and around that position faltered on certain key games, Burnley kept composure and grinded out results. They come to The Valley looking to secure champions. Season Recap Unlike last years final showdown against Bournemouth, we wave goodbye to our four year stay in the Championship which comes to no surprise to anyone, except our owners "who does not do failure" might I add. At the beginning of the season we were favourites to be relegated by the bookies and we did not disappoint. Our form seemed to crumble after a promising start in August where we registered wins against Queens Park Rangers and Hull. We have gone through three abysmal managers, who for future reference should not be allowed anywhere near a football club, managing a McDonalds is more their level. For those that stopped going to games we have gone through: 1. The ever unpopular Guy Luzon 2. The hapless and technically inept, always permanent, Karel Fraeye 3. The six-monther at every club José Riga Whilst results has taken a slow insignificant improvement under José Riga, news filters through that he is likely to depart at the close of the season making the new incoming 'Head Coach' our seventh under ever missing-owner Roland Duchâtelet brief reign at The Valley. Currently in a disastrous toxic battle with the fans, we have seen this season the formation of C.A.R.D, and numerous disruptions to games in recent events. With ever falling season ticket sales and attendances compared to previous seasons there is still no hint of our owner selling up, despite numerous offers made (through the grapevine). Some other statistics that you might be interested about this season includes: - £491.24 I made betting against Charlton during Karel Fraeye's time in charge - 77 goals we have conceded this season (almost 2 per game played) - 14 times this season we have conceded three or more goals - 21 matches we have failed to score in - 6 times we've let the lead slip, most embarrassingly against Brighton & Hove Albion - Achieved under 1 point per game, no wonder we went down The Opposition We welcome Sean Dyche's men to The Valley this Saturday, who have one thing in mind. To become Champions. With Middlesbrough playing Brighton and Hove Albion, there is a strong possibility that Burnley will achieve this. As with the other two teams, our actions off (and potentially on) the field can have a knock on effect to the game. As with Chris Houghton, Sean is fully aware of the protesting (more so than our absentee owner) and would have briefed all his players to expect unusual and harsh conditions. They would have most likely have a game plan in mind, which disruptions they hope won't affect their desired outcome. Their unbeaten run, currently stretching 22 games is impressive and hold the leagues top scorer in Andre Gray with 24 goals. Gray is not the only quality player on their books, the have conceded the second least amount of goals in the league, no thanks to shot stopper Tom Heaton. Grays strike partner Sam Volks goals have been a huge help in getting Burnley promoted, himself having a turgid season marred with several injuries. One thing we can be certain off, is several tweets from Joey Barton about the protests come full time. Current Form Burnley's away form is somewhat impressive. We have to go back all the way to Boxing Day when they last lost on their travels. Since that defeat against Hull City, they have racked up seven wins out of ten games, scoring three or more goals on four occasions. Going into this fixture, they have the second best away form, after Brighton & Hove Albion. In terms of our home form, we currently sit sixteenth in the tables having registered wins this season against Birmingham and Middlesbrough, but performances against Brighton & Hove Albion and Derby has seen us win only one game in the last six. Head-To-Head In the last two years absentee owner, Roland Duchâtelet, reign there has been three encounters between Charlton and Burnley. The sad story is that on each encounter we have conceded three and more goals and failed to respond. Our record is GF: 0, GA: 11, GD: -11 (surely that should say something about the state of his affairs). During Chris Powell's reign we faired better, the defeat that we incurred was one of a more respectable nature conceding only one goal. The last time we beat Burnley was on a cold November day in 2012, to 10 man Burnley, with the only goal coming from Danny Haynes. Club Updates There currently have been no updates on this upcoming fixture, but we are well aware that this will most likely be Head Coach José Riga's last in charge of The Valley until January 2017. C.A.R.D Updates They've been ever absent about the protest or disruptive ideas for this game. The only update is that C.A.R.D have promised not to try and get the game abandoned. See this tweet below: Team Lineup This can be anyone's guess as with most of season end games. Many of the players would hope to get game time to impress any potential scouts that might be there to capture what little talent we have on the cheap following relegation. José Riga might go with a similar line up to Leeds game following success: please log in to view this image What we can expect is players like Reza, Motta, Fanni, Suk-Young, Guðmundsson, Lookman, Fox, Henderson, Makinok all to be leaving over the coming weeks, with little quality coming in to replace them. Odds The bookies are not giving us much of a chance in winning this match, given Burnley's current run is unsurprising. Holdens Bet : Treble @ 12.94-1 Burnley Win, Brentford Win & Wednesday Win Fixtures & Tables Games to look out is the other table topping clash, being shown simultaneously on SkySports at The Riverside Stadium: Middlesbrough vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, the latter boasting the best away record over the last six games going into this match. Outcome If we win this game it'll be a miracle, and I'd be in a state of disbelief. We have a severe lack of quality, battling against one of the standout teams this season. With many of these journeymen leaving after the final kick of the game, I wonder if any will be bothered to turn up? Holdens Prediction : Charlton Athletic 0 - 3 Burnley #COYR #COYA
I know I had not done one in sometime. I've been quite the busy individual just being awesome . If I renew my season ticket (or not), I'll be back on the League One reviews.
I'd like the idea of a walk-out, but fear there are still too many who want to stay and applaud our bunch of misfits as they walk shamefaced round at the end. Let the away fans get on with the celebrations- it's what we do.
Didn't vote cos there was no ''Couldn't give a f**k' option. All I want to see tomorrow is absolute carnage both on and off the pitch...!!
How much I don't give a f*** about the game too. We're going to lose, and like I did when Fraeye was in charge, make a bunch of money off it.
Sit-in behind the West Stand starting at 11.00. I wonder what backing it'll get? no post-match protest though.
How can you have a sit in of an open space before something? Do you go and watch the game after? I don't understand the practicalities.
I will be late today have a job assessment first so don't reckon I will be there until about 1:00 ...will miss the sit in then ...every cloud . And no official lob stuff on the pitch either as far as I can see
Not sure how the practicalities will work, but I will be there for the sit-in protest at 11am. Please God Meire and Murray are running late and walk right into it - would love to see "Smithers" in particular. Looking forward to seeing Reams there too, I understand today is the day of his annual visit
Likewise @Miketyson2007. I'm doing some business. This kinds accurately describes it (if you're a fan of Bojack Horseman you'll get the joke). Also, will they still let you in if you're running 10-15 minutes late?
I've woken up in a London hotel with an absolute munter in my bed (my wife) and a massive hangover. Breakfast and more sleep is very tempting, but I want to go to the game and see what cringeworthy nonsense card can come up with this week.
