I used to apologise for putting these up early in the week, but I don't think anyone isn't looking forward to the next match, so here we go. After the (always welcome) distraction of the FA cup, its back to the league and Brentford away. One of the more tricky away fixtures on paper at the start of the season, we should be going there full of confidence and should be a great game. Brentford have of course beaten us already this season in the JPT (for the second season running), although we all know what happend vs. Preston who had earlier knocked us out of the Milk Cup. With no fresh injuries the main debate surrounding selection is the signing of exciting attacking midfielder H. Ephraim. I normally get very frustrated with loan deals, but this one has my fulll-backing as this player has proven himself at a higher level than ours. As far as im concerned, if Jackson wasn't captain, his place would be under some serious threat. However, his is of course captain and has a great understanding brewing with (my player of the season so far) Mr Wiggins, so it shall be very interesting were he will fit in. I'll be suprised if he starts, but will be gutted if he doesnt feature at some point. On a personal level, I will apologise in advance for anything less than a win, as Charlton's away record when I have been in attendance has been... P 5 L 4 D 1 Which includes MKD and Stevenage this season. So if we lose it will obviously be all my fault. Hoping for another 5* performance, but will as always take a scrappy 1-0 win. I predict 2-1 BWP and Ephraim COYR Japan
I'm puzzled why anyone would think Jackson's place would be remotely under threat, when he's the 2nd top scorer and main dead ball taker, with his excellent corners. If you assume the starting 11 will be the same as the previous league game, then picking the subs is tricky. Sulivan Cort - is he too tired after international duty? Wagstaff Hayes Emphraim? But what about Evina who looked good on Sunday or Pritchard, now back from injury and who played 90 minutes yesterday?
You beat me to it Killer and flash. I think Jackson is one of our main players and can't believe anyone would think he may be dropped. Yes he can go quiet in games, but being 2nd top scorer AND 3rd best assist provider in the team on top of being captain shows how important he is to us. Other than that I enjoyed your post JapanAddick
Fair point RE: Jackson, I definatley understated his contribution so far this season. I dont know why, but I just dont rate him as high as most.
Yeah - looking forward to it immensely. Does anyone know if there are tix on door and if any available? Will be same 11 barring any injuries. Just a wee bit concerned about this fixture - Brentford not exactly known for their passing game and it will be physical. I think their form is not that good at present - may be wrong . 3 points here would give me a warm feeling about the rest of the season.
So had most of the others, surely? He was moved on by West Ham and now has been rejected by QPR, not one of the star-studded Premiership teams, as not being among their 26 most valuable players. Hardly a ringing endorsement. That doesn't mean he cannot become a star at our level like Kermorgant, but I cannot see that he has a better pedigree than others who have joined us and flopped, like Scott Sinclair or Leroy Lita, to name but two from a long list of partial or total disappointments. He could have swum back from Guyana and still look more agile than the Doc. But you have a good point and unless we dip into the youngsters there is no other obvious CB sub. We could put another defensive midfielder on the bench and move Andy Hughes back in an emergency. Or perhaps Benson could cover that position after his stellar 15 minutes on Tuesday. I am sure Ponders would welcome that option. I agree. I feel it could be a harder test than at home to Huddersfield. Our record against physical sides is not great. I would be delighted with a point there, though always hoping for more. Could depend on whether the ref gives our forwards proper protection.
What reason do people have for saying Brentford are a physical side? Maybe I should go to balance your luck, JA. My away record this season is P6 W6 F17 A4
This is interesting from the OS, and also contains the worst pun you're gonna see this year... http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10267~2519091,00.html My take on this is that we're already looking at way past January for this loan to continue. As I know nothing about this player at all, I had a conversation with a Hoops fan who was of the opinion that he probably wouldn't be properly match fit until mid-December at th eearliest. If you look at his stats, which aren't everything, I know, it really has been a strange career - he's virtually been becalmed for the last 18 months. He's been an invisible man. Another invisible man, Yann Kermorgant, has had his career in England resurrected at Charlton Athletic thanks to CP's faith in his abilities where everybody else could apparently only see his last penalty kick. Who's to say it won't be the same with Hogan Ephraim?
It was said in one of the locals that Hogan was brought in as cover for Stephens so perhaps we will see a team like this? The Hammer Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins Green, Hollands, Ephraim, Jackson Kermi, BWP
That's a serious attacking unit, AllHell - the back five would have to be on top of their game. Certainly wouldn't be boring...
You can pay on the gate according to Brentford fans, but the stewards will be on the lookout for Charlton fans so try to disguise your South East London or Kent accent with a West London or Middlesex one, I think they say "colander" differently, so if the stewards are holding one and asking people at the turnstile what it is, don't fall into the trap, just call it "one of them things you drain food in", good luck!
I'd be scared if Hogan went in to the middle!! This loan does strike a few questions- the fact QPR waived a loan fee to get this deal through suggests CP must have guaranteed Warnock that he will get playing time. It's well known that Palace wanted him in the summer but couldn't raise the funds, so now they aren't asking for money, the benefit of the deal must be elsewhere?
On the OS Powell has denied there were any strings attached to the Hogan loan deal, so can't see him figuring yet. Surely Pritchard must be on the bench? It's impressive that Charlton's 1800 tickets sold out 2 weeks before the game, I'm not sure I could face 90 minutes pretending to be a Brentford fan!
News on Benson in the Brentford build-up article on the OS - "...it's unknown whether he will make the squad for the game on Saturday as he looks likely to leave the club on loan in the next few days." To where exactly? One hopes not to one of our immediate rivals, especially if the abandoned Notts County deal has been resurrected as a loan.
Gutted I can't make it tomorrow - it sold out before I had the chance to buy tickets (mainly as I lost my bank cards!) Tewks I think Colchester has been mentioned a few times; I think he wants to go localish. It's a shame though, I'd rather take the hit of losing him for nothing in July and having him as back up than losing him for a pittance in January - he's our only goalscorer after BWP and that's a fact.
Mmmm - doesn't bear thinking about what he and Wordsworth could do paired up, although that may be a moot point if Wordsworth moves on in January. And yes, I agree with that point - if BWP got crocked long term we'd be scrabbling around a bit, even with Smith making strides.
That's a very good point - it would be a shame too not to see Green and Benson combine after all the hype.
