Seeing as this is the most important game of our season so far, it's worth doing the match thread a day early. I'm definitely not going to predict the score, don't want to be too optimistic or pessimistic! I think the team will be the same bar Ephraim in for Jackson. Guessing Russell will take Ephraim's place on the bench. Lee Clark said on Friday: "It will be a very fast flowing game of football," said Clark. "I have watched Charlton on numerous occasions, read all the reports, and it is clear that they go for the jugular as do we, so I am expecting a very good game. If it isn't and we still come out of it with a positive result, then that doesn't bother me too much." Parkin as said in the thread about him will probably be a threat, as we know Jordan Rhodes will be, but we can't forget we have BWP and Kermit up front, who are just as good. I'm sure Morrison and Taylor will do a sound job in keeping them quiet anyway. Hopefully the match being on Sky won't affect our performance, and we go out and get a win! COYR!
People keep talking about Parkin, but really cant see him casusing us any problems - especially with Morro playing the way he is. Going for 3-1 win.
The way Huddersfield tend to play is to use one big target man (it had been Alan Lee but he's now suspended, hence bringing Parkin in) to distract the defenders and let Jordan Rhodes wreak havoc in the confusion. Morrison and Taylor will have to be at their best tomorrow.
I do not doubt that our centre backs are strong enough to deal with an aerial threat - more than one Brentford fan described Morrison and Taylor as neanderthal cavemen last week. Bearing in mind the changes he made for Stevenage (taking out Solly and playing Morrison at RB) which plainly didn't work, I'd be mighty surprised if Powell did tinker with the back line. There really is no need.
Taylor is better aerially than Cort IMO. I'm going for a hard fought 1-0 win - with either BWP or a defender scoring from a set piece. I think Morro and Taylor will relish the chance to come up against Rhodes and Parkin, so backing them to win that battle. That said, will be tough but also has the billing of a very good match. Let's hope we (finally) put on a good show for the Sky cameras.
We've got something else significant going for us here - sorry if this is contentious. The result of this game is way more significant to them than it is to us. Firstly, magnificent achievement though it is, this 40-odd game run without losing must be hanging round their necks like the Ancient Mariner's albatross. As soon as they lose, the potential is there for a massive hangover to set in and it'll take all Clark's considerable powers to get them focused for the next series of games. Secondly, if they lose the game, they will be eight points behind us and will remain outside the automatic promotion places. If we l**e the game, we'll still be two points ahead of them at the top of the league, with a superior goal difference (assuming we don't get completely obliterated, which I suggest is unlikely as no team has put more than two goals past us in the league all season). Thirdly, the weight of expectation to get promoted must weigh more heavily on them than on us. I mean, this magnificent start to the season that we've enjoyed is miraculous as it is unexpected and we're enjoying every unbelievable, exhilarating minute of it. They were expected to be front runners, they were expected to be promoted - that's a hell of a lot to live up to, especially when two of your most significant and influential players have departed. I've said it before and I'll say it again now - we're going to win tomorrow, and win well.
Tewkes I agree, except on the result. My heart is saying we are as good as our points tally says, my head says.....no. They're a good side in good form who are very capable of beating a captain less Charlton who are historically awful when playing on the telly, even more so on the telly at the valley(its a weak point but a sadly true one). I suppose that leaves me at a draw. I do feel we are in a better position with our back 4 these days(the best in the league) but they've got arguably the most prolific/consistent goalscorer in the league too. I'm simply not letting myself believe
Huddersfield can't afford to lose to us, as that would increase the gap to massive proportions. That fact they've gone unbeaten for so long, but aren't runway leaders this season and didn't go up automatically last season, suggests they draw a lot of games. A tight 1-1 draw is my prediction.
Completely agree with you Tewks. Continuing on from your comments about expectation everyone at the start of the season said we'd finish no higher than 4th because we'd had change in staff over the summer... maybe its because of that reason we've been able to play with such freedom. Tomorrow I can envisage will be an awesome match to watch with two teams going for the win so wont be surprised to see either team failing to keep a clean sheet. Apart from Hogan coming in for Jacko I cant see any changes to the squad unless god forbid there have been injuries over the Weekend. Everyone goes on about Huddersfield's 43 game unbeaten run (and Im certainly guilty of this myself, though only because I want Charlton to be the buggers who end it) but as Jeff Sterling said on Soccer Saturday yesterday, Lee Clark came out the other day and said its a run that has lasted two seasons it started in League One and... they're still in League One. Dont look like they've achieved much on that fact have they....
There is no reason why playing on TV should affect us more than the opposition. I know it is a historical fact, but it has no significance and doesn't help to predict what is to come. To dwell on it and seek to give it some meaning is pure superstition. Now I know lots of footballers are superstitious. That is because lots of footballers are not very bright. If they believe playing on TV is a handicap then you could argue it becomes a psychological factor. I am not convinced it works that way, but if you really believe it does the best help we can give is to forget the whole issue and never mention it. Good advice to all managers, not just regarding this issue, but covering pitches, weather, referees, past history and a zillion other factors: Never give your team an excuse to lose!
If Parkin was that wonderful clubs wouldn't be in such a hurry to move him on. His Wikipaedia entry starts "Jonathan 'The Beast' Parkin (born 30 December 1981) is a journeyman English footballer". "Journeyman" is not the first adjective you would use to describe a top-quality player. The only club for whom he had a good goals to games ratio was Macclesfield. Having said all that, he does make a habit of scoring on his debut. We have faced, and will face, a lot more dangerous players this season.
Why should we be worrying about their players? He is hardly going to get a touch with Morro having him in his pocket.
I agree, and thats the problem. It is psychological and it hasn't been solved yet. It's in my head, you're 100% correct, it shouldn't be any different whatsoever
I think it depends very much on how our centre mid plays. I'm especially concerned about Hughes. Our back 5- fine. Our front 2-fine. Danny Green - fine. Hollands is a good player but somehow our centre midfield gets dominated too often, even by teams like Halifax, so we'll need an improvement there or we'll get punished. And I hope Evina gets the nod.
Certainly the most intriguing and attractive fixture so far, but it could be answered the home match against Sheff Wed was more important. While it would be nice to go up as champions, much more important is that we do go up. In which case, staying ahead of the third-placed team is more vital than staying ahead of the second-placed team. Had we lost to the Owls we would only be one point ahead of them instead of four.
This has a 1-1 draw written all over it with BWP getting one for us and Parkin getting his normal debut goal.
I've never been so excited/nervous for a game in my life, I think we'll get something out of it, 2-1 last minute wonder goal by super sub waggy
