please log in to view this image Charlton Athletic vs Leeds United please log in to view this image Saturday November 9th, 2013 - K.O 15:00 - The Valley please log in to view this image This weekend sees Leeds on the road away at Charlton. Our Millwall friends will be hoping that we turn over their rivals and continue an uncertain run for the Addicks. The Whites picked up 3 points last weekend against league-strugglers Yeovil Town thanks to two goals from Ross McCormack, but the performance particularly in the first half left a lot to be desired. The result leaves Leeds in 8th, and 3 points adrift of 6th place, however that could be in jeopardy if they don't correct what has been poor form away from home this season. The Yeovil match also saw Stephen Warnock injured, Jason Pearce stepping up and performing well in the unfamiliar left wing back role. A look at the Championship table will show you Charlton seemingly languishing in 17th, however Chris Powell's men are unbeaten in 5 and haven't conceded a goal in 7 hours and 27 minutes - an impressive feat. It's at the other end of the field that they are having issues, with only 11 goals scored all season. They have built around some solid defensive performances, and if Yann Kermogant is fit for this fixture they'll have another option to try and resolve their issues in the final third. History favours the visitors here though, with Leeds wining 21 out of the previous 42 league meetings, however 5 games have passed since Leeds took all 3 points, stretching back to the 03/04 Premiership season. Form Guide (Last 5 League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Team[/TD] [TD]Form[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD]W - L - W - L - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]11[/TD] [TD="align: center"]7[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Charlton[/TD] [TD]X - D - W - D - W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]3[/TD] [TD="align: center"]1[/TD] [TD="align: center"]9[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Head to Head (Previous League Games) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD="align: center"]Team[/TD] [TD="align: center"]P[/TD] [TD="align: center"]W[/TD] [TD="align: center"]D[/TD] [TD="align: center"]L[/TD] [TD="align: center"]F[/TD] [TD="align: center"]A[/TD] [TD="align: center"]GD[/TD] [TD="align: center"]Pts[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Leeds[/TD] [TD="align: center"]42[/TD] [TD="align: center"]21[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]61[/TD] [TD="align: center"]49[/TD] [TD="align: center"]+12[/TD] [TD="align: center"]71[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Charlton[/TD] [TD="align: center"]42[/TD] [TD="align: center"]13[/TD] [TD="align: center"]8[/TD] [TD="align: center"]21[/TD] [TD="align: center"]49[/TD] [TD="align: center"]61[/TD] [TD="align: center"]-12[/TD] [TD="align: center"]47[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early Betting Odds (Correct on 7/11/13) [TABLE="width: 500, align: center"] [TR] [TD]Charlton Win[/TD] [TD]Draw[/TD] [TD]Leeds Win[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]6/4[/TD] [TD]12/5[/TD] [TD]17/10[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leeds United Top Scorers (League) Ross McCormack...7 Matt Smith...4 Luke Varney...2 Back to winning ways against Yeovil, Leeds come into this one with a bit of confidence and momentum. However, Stephen Warnock is a doubt for the fixture after picking up a first half injury last weekend. Adam Drury had also been on the treatment table, and despite resuming some training this week, McDermott has also ear marked him as a doubt. Short of cover at left back with Aidy White and Charlie Taylor out on loan, utility man Danny Pugh could make a return to the starting line up. Sam Byram missed out last week through a slight injury, and as yet I've not been able to find any suggestion of him being unavailable for this. Charlton Athletic Top Scorers (League) Yann Kermogant...3 Simon Church...3 Jordan Cousins...1 Chris Powell will have Richard Wood back for selection in this fixture, though there is still no news on whether Yann Kermogant has recovered from the knock that kept him out against Birmingham. That fixture saw Powell adopting a new 4-5-1 system with captain Johnnie Jackson playing in the hole behind Simon Church. A similar approach could be taken here, with both Church and Marvin Sordell to call on in the absence of Kermogant. Durham's Prediction 1-0 win for Leeds is my guess. Charlton are on a good run of unbeaten games, and that will breed a certain amount of confidence in the team. They have focused on being solid and hard to beat so far, and I fully expect them to do the same in this fixture. I don't think you can read too much into the 1-0 win they picked up against Birmingham, because by all accounts they were just as bad as when we stuffed them 4-0. We've been pretty solid too, so I hoping this doesn't play out to a dull 0-0 draw, but I think we will come up with the goods and put an end to their clean sheets. please log in to view this image Assuming that both Warnock and Drury are out, I had a tough time deciding whether it would be Pugh or Pearce who takes over at LWB. I've actually gone with Pearce, because that solves the headache of picking 3 from Lees, Wooton, Marius, Pearce at the back, and leaves us with more first team players in the side. McDermott's comments about how well Pearce played in that role on Saturday also swayed me to thinking that he was suitably impressed. Other than that, I've gone for Blackstock up front over Smith just to change things up a little bit. I'm not sure Smith is fully ready to be our main centre forward in every single game yet. I'm assuming Byram will be passed fit, otherwise Peltier in at RWB. OK, over to the not606 faithful. Let's hear score predictions and what team you think will go out.
I hope the guys going to the smoke this weekend have a good time, but try and stay away from some of those roughneck wally people. If we are to do anything of any note this season, ie finish inside the top 10, we need to start stringing a few results together. We cannot carry on being ok, garbage and sometimes really good. We need to be consistent even if we become boring like QPR. Boring QPR are going up and we're not sure if we want to be top 6, top 10 or top 15 with our present form. Charlton are doing ok and should not be under estimated, but this should be 3-points in any era!!
We always struggle at Charlton I think it will be 1 - 0 to Leeds with Blackstock scoring in 86th minute
Richard Wood from Ossett and was a season ticket holder at Leeds He scored in the 90th minute for Coventry a few year ago after the one and only Rachubka dropped the ball to his feet Remember it well :/ his first of many **** ups.
1-3 Leeds Pugh starting as a direct replacement for Warnock. We will score from the penalty spot this weekend. EHD will get some game time when we are leading. Thx for another great thread btw.
Morning all. Looking forward to this one, especially as my ticket has now arrived. Think it will be a hard game, and I think we will scrape home. Charlton don't score that many. They also don't concede that many. So a 1-0 for Leeds looks a fair outcome. Hope EHD plays as well. We'll need his guile to help unlock what would appear to be an irritatingly efficient defence,
Us Wallies would be happy for Leeds to win this one Dont let us down or i will put you through WUM hell
Great thread Durham Like many others I am going for a 1-0 Leeds win with what would appear a poor performance but that won't bother me in this game as long as we get the 3 points.
Thanks again LiD ... here's my take ... Charlton went 4-5-1 away to brum because no doubt Powell saw how Leeds destroyed them in midfield, only difference being an insurance defender and just one up top as they were away and his back four have done well so far anyway ... this formation will also match up against Leeds to force a stalemate in midfield so they have had live match practice with it and burgled a result ... be interesting to see how Leeds cope if Powell doesn't go back to 4-4-2 to try and push for a home win from the off ... would expect Blackstock to start which will mean Charlton have to defend a bit deeper to counter his pace, so opening up more room for Austin to rampage into and run at their defence ... going to be a tough assignment for sure and too close to call. MOT!!
If our midfield play well, we will win this game. I doubt there are many players in this league that can match Austin's determination and engine, just requires the other two to be on form as well I guess.
Cheers guys Interesting that many of you seem to agree with me that this might be a grind of a game that we just edge. I think it's going to be all about our attack vs their defence than anything else. Even with Kermogant in the team they haven't had much going upfront. Totally agree with Billy and Josh that Austin could have a field day here, especially if Charlton go back to 4-4-2
LID,great thread as allways, Lets just hope austin turns up,seems to missing on away days, No bryam or warnock,so lets see how Bmc plans the defence. Ross must be smarting at not get picked for scotland,so hope he has something to prove. My neighbour is an addick so really hope we turn them over. MOT
Morning Esther. Think you make an important point re Ross. Let's hope he's wound up enough to be kicking over advertising boards as he nets a couple. Think our problem may lye with not haveing our natural WBs. Will be interesting to see who plays and whether or not EHD gets a look in. We'll need his guile.
If Pugh can't get a game when we have four left sided players either out on loan or injured, he never will. Expect him to start at LWB, probably his best position anyway, and can supply a decent cross. 3-0 Leeds
Hope he does. Much as I'd love us to win 3-0, I can't see it somehow. Charlton's defence have been very mean of late, and we're missing our two natural WBs. That said, 352 seems to be working, and McCormack will be pi&&ed off at not being picked for Scotland, so who knows?
So, reflecting: - our form is hot and cold and we just won at home - we are disppointing on most away trips - Charlton are in fine form - Charlton have a good defence - we don't have any width and strikers like Smith need service from the flanks - Millwall want us to win - our only solution to the width problem was Warnock and Byram, both unlikely to play I am sorry to say this, but put all those negative facts together and the only possible result is a 1-3 away win for Leeds.
How many of our regulars will be at the game to get an accurate assessment from during and afterwards?
E$ire, its my understanding all the Millwall based lads will presumably be there, supporting their first team, as its local for them
