A return to the Valley this weekend for the visit of Reading. It's hard to know what to expect from them as their form has been indifferent since Steve Clark took over from Nigel Adkins. Their season now largely falls on their FA Cup semi final appearance, and will already have one eye on that game. Due to their cup exploits, March has seen them play 3 league games - a win, a draw and a drubbing to in form Watford. Perhaps a more clearer indication of their league form we go back to February, where they lost 4 out of their 6 league games, though their two victories came away from home at the hands of Wolves and Ipswich. They seem happier away from home, much like us in our first season back in the Championship and have had a further day's rest as they played Bradford on Monday. As for Charlton, a comfortable mid week win at lowly Blackpool was more the impressive as Guy rang the changes, with Gomez, Diarra, Eagles and Church coming in and all making a case for why they should start. Tony Watt took a bit of a battering on their ''pitch'' and Luzon was coy on whether he starts - though with the international break next week it might see him make this match and rest up in between. Vetokele wasn't risked as he had a niggle to his achilles and would have been a disaster waiting to happen on that pitch, so it's possible he could return but if not Church will be ready to step in again. Luzon has been high in praise of the Welsh international, though any suggestion of a contract extension was palmed off till the end of the season. Team: Hendo Solly - Johnson - TBH - Fox JBG - Buyens - Cousins - Eagles Watt - Church I think Eagles will retain, but Buyens and TBH to be recalled. As you often see, a cup semi final plays on individuals minds, no matter how Steve Clarke will want them to forget it come 3pm Saturday. They do travel well, but I see a BTTS win for us. 2-1 - Cousins and JBG.
I'm not to confident as you Super. Reading are a team, who have struggled for a bit of consistency over their last five matches, and whilst we have better form, I wouldn't say we've played brilliantly. Defensively we were shocking against Blackburn Rovers, and allowed Blackpool to dominate large parts of the game, which a better team would have punished us for. It's probably not going to be a high scoring game, and if Reading score first, I'm predicting a 1 - 1 Draw, if not 1 - 0 to Charlton. I think he's going to go for a straight 4 - 4 - 2, and try and attack from the start. Think that Eagles has done enough to outplace Bulot, and should be starting. please log in to view this image
Got a feeling Church will start after being singled out for praise by Luzon, don't know who will partner him though. Luzon likes a bit of rotation, which is fair enough, keeps everyone happy, as long as he knows his strongest team and plays it against Millwall. Not much at stake for either team, maybe an early goal (or two) will be needed to liven things up. 0-0.
Chruch with Igor up front as I hear Watt has a bit of a knock. Reading to have an eye on their FA cup final so I'm going for a 3-0 to the Addicks
Make sure Watt is on form for Easter. Church and Vetokele may well bring in a goal or two (for JBG) and I never thought a year ago I would be advocating a starting line up featuring Church. Still, needs must when the devil is biting your bottom.
The old cliche - a game of two halves. You can't help but think if we won just 3 games over that 3 month period, we'd be the team with momentum pushing for the play offs.
Quite a nice day all round. Won a few quid on btts/Charlton win and Reading/Charlton ht/ft. Going to put a few off it into the Upbeats fund; everyone involved has done very well again today.
It is a pisser all right. Who wants to play us right now? I am thinking that had the board been a little less complacent then a play off could have been achieved. Still a standard has been set now, we have a young squad that would be a crime to split up. If Roland wants it, the pieces are all there. Let's see.
I expected a 0-0 bore but it was an excellent game I really enjoyed, particularly the purple patch when we should have been out of sight of Reading. Bulot in particular looked a very classy player, and worked his socks off as well, so he was my MOM, with Cousins a close second. Did anyone see what happened to Solly?
A few months ago you were all on the verge of despair; out with RD and KM, not forgetting a certain Mr Luzon....!! Now GL is flavour of the month, everybody is in love with KM, and you have all changed your mind about Roland (almost). Some people will have to eat humble pie, some may even renew their season tickets! What a fickle lot you are; next season we could suffer relegation. Be careful what you wish for.
My praise is aimed towards guy and the team. I'll put my hands up to Luzon proving me wrong thus far - but stand by the fact I was concerned wether he was the man to move us forward and still think we were lied to, which leads me to katrien. I still think she's horribly under qualified and her people skills leave a lot to be desired. Unless you poke you head over the toilet cubicle in Cardiff, of corse. I don't even think she's that hot either.
Seeing as you are in the chair, Dick, I'll have a bottle of Dom Perignon 1971, please. Corker of a second-half today. Watt, Cousins and Buyens were particularly impressive. Johnson and Eagles should be retained for next season's squad. We really do need to invest in the left-back position, though: Fox is not cutting my mustard, but he may improve with extensive coaching. Reading were a horrible team and replicated the bruising style they utilised against Bradford. Today may be the last game I get to this season: an operation is on the cards for the next few weeks. Have a good evening, folks. COYR!
Actually, I have to eat a different pie, as I remember clearly saying that Buyens should never wear a CAFC shirt again after a match at the tail end of the Peeters reign where he effectively just hid from the ball. How times have changed. Chaperonek9, yes football fans are fickle. Happy with seven wins out of nine, goals galore and some decent football, and miserable when under Peeters we played miserable football, came into every game afraid to lose and had problems in the dressing room. It's not rocket science. Personally, among all the joy at recent events, quite a few are still waiting on events. As Typical points out, we have the makings of a team that could be challenging for promotion next year, but the question is, do we reinforce or cash in in the summer? Today was great. Let's hope the current set up have learnt that cheap solutions don't work in the championship. Tucadean and Polish Pete up front next season?
