Ipswich Town v Charlton Athletic Wednesday 1st January 2014 3pm Kick-Off Referee: Stuart Attwell So after a tough end to 2013, Charlton have arrived at the half-way stage of the season⦠Weâve played every team once, winning on five occasions, drawing eight times and suffering defeat in ten matches⦠We sit in nineteenth position on twenty-three points having scored twenty-one goals whilst conceding twenty-nine times⦠Although itâs not pretty reading theyâre the blunt stats for our season so far and after a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday we end the festive season with a trip to Ipswich Town for the traditional New Yearâs Day fixture, weâve been here before of course back in 2002 the same fixture was played out (albeit at the Valley) and after quickly going 2-0 down, Charlton battled back to win 3-2⦠the sort of match Charlton could do with at the moment. Saturday 30th November 2013 â Charlton 0-1 Ipswich In the first fixture this season, Charlton didnât make the greatest of starts⦠Ipswich came at us from the off and after just five minutes they took the lead courtesy of a Tommy Smith goal, Ipswich then adopted Charltonâs own away tactic and dug in ensuring they left the Valley with all three points. What we said⦠Truly awful⦠too many punts up the pitch from both sides⦠total lack of creativity â Dickplumb A noticeable feature was how we struggled to get players in the box â VolauVent In the same way we rumbled Birmingham and Blackburn, Ipswich did exactly the same to us today â Captain Blackadder Ipswich since then⦠When Ipswich beat Charlton at the Valley that day it was so on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester, since their match against Charlton theyâve gone from strength to strength and havenât lost a single match, victories over Blackburn, Huddersfield, Doncaster and draws against Nottingham Forest, Watford and Bournemouth (their last fixture) have seen them climb into the Play-Offs courtesy of Goal Difference. Charlton Team News Most thoughts for Charlton fans will be whether Chris Solly (Rested?) and Rhoys Wiggins (Birth of Child) return to the starting eleven after missing the last match, should either miss out, Lawrie Wilson and Cedric Evina should continue to deputise in their respective positions⦠Johnnie Jackson looked off the pace against Sheffield Wednesday so could be questionable if he starts whilst itâll be very interesting to see if Michael Smith plays any part after returning from his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon scoring eleven goals in the process. Possible Team to face Ipswich Alnwick Solly â Morrison â Wood â Wiggins Wilson â Cousins â Stephens â Stewart Kermorgant â Church Substitutes Bench Pope â Evina â Dervite â Jackson â Green â Sordell â Smith The Referee Travelling From: Warwickshire Matches this Season: 14 (8 in the Championship) Yellow / Red Cards: 48 / 6 Penalties: 3 Last Charlton Match: 17.09.2013 (Huddersfield 2-1 Charlton) A4Lâs Prediction: 1-1 (Morrison) A4Lâs Player of the Year (So Far): Dale Stephens So⦠Iâm going to finish this Match Thread the same way I began by returning to the stats⦠After facing all twenty-three teams itâs time to start again, we need to forget what has happened in the first half of the season, itâs time to right the wrongs, at the moment weâre not in the relegation zone but we are in a relegation fight so letâs roll up our sleeves and show each and every team we face between now and the end of the season that we DESERVE to be in this league!!
Seeing we have played every team once now and although I've not covered the full season I wanted to change the Match Thread so its simply not a copy and paste job from the previous one... Seeing we're also at the half-way stage I've also included my POTY to date and it would be interesting to see who others would vote for based on the season so far. Finally thanks for the positive feedback you've been giving to date... It is much appreciated and I do enjoy writing these up for each match... Have a great New Year everyone and I hope you have a great 2014 on and away from Charlton
Great Match day thread We need to win this game to cement our place in the top 6. This will be another tense and nervy game as you guys are always difficult opponents and Mick will definitely not be taking you lightly! We will be boosted with the return of Stephen Hunt out on the Left and the possible inclusion of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake from the bench. This game will be a true test of our play off credentials and as you are in need of the points yourself I can see this being a tough battle with pretty passing football kept to a minimum! I am going for a narrow Town win 2 - 1 We have developed into a very well organised and hard working unit that battles to the end and has the ability to grind down the opposition, a typical Mick McCarthy team and although it isn't always pretty by god it's effective! For all of you making the trip up the A12 have a great day apart from the result of course!
Brilliant job A4L - they've been coming thick and fast, and just want to show my gratitude for a brilliant job Ipswich vs Ipswich would be the joke in years gone, but sadly the days of Holland, HH, and one D Bent are gone. As are the memories of Lisbies brilliant late strike in a 1-0 victory back in the Prem. We used to have a good time against Ipswich, but no longer am I confident when playing them. Mcgoldrick was someone I thought wouldn't make it but he now looks the part and right now is playing with confidence. We need to get Stephens and Cousins back in the middle. I guess that depends on Solly being fit, but with Portman Road having a decent pitch I expect him back in the team. Some people were questioning during half time why Wiggins would opt for the birth of his child. I won't say any more on that! I assume he will be available and thats a massive boost, considering the way he and Stewart have linked up. That said, the lack of goal threat stands out in my head and I can see Ipswich getting 2 goals. So will agree with walkersmoustache and say 2-1 Ipswich. It will go on my BTTS and result slip, definitely.
Great work again A4L. I fear V-a-v and the other hardy souls who go will have a long journey home. POTY is wide open at the moment, with Cousins, Stephens and Wiggins the main contenders, with Wilson a good outside bet. Oh and don't forget Church- if he continues his scoring streak he'll have bagged another goal by the time the vote comes round.
Let's see if we can do what Ipswich did to us. Not all that confident though. This has the feeling of 'run-of-the-mill home win' for Ipswich. 2-0 to them.
To add, my current POTY would be Stephens. Cousins coming in has allowed him to play further forward and has bought the best out of him.
Excellent preview as always. I think the routine win for ipswich analysis is spot on. 2-0 or thereabouts. The limitations Of our squad and our manager's tactical ability were both shown up yesterday. Hopefully our limited players will at least be played in their natural positions tomorrow and a decent pitch will enable them to play. Stephens nailed on as POTY for me so far with Cousins a close second (and the only other realistic candidate). Happy new year to one and all when it comes
Stephens would be my choice too; and I'm glad so far so many agree. To me he is the most importnat player to tie upw ith a new deal, especially given his age and potential value as an asset.
Looking forward to the trip to Ipswich on Wednesday, although not particularly looking forward to paying £32.50 to get in What a piss take. As for POTY, it must be sewn up already after Danny Green's performance yesterday.
Stephens has cost us points in two very recent matches friggin' around on the edge of our penalty area, a failing he has always had. He is a liability in defence and I would prefer to see him playing further forward, which is another good reason to bring in Poyet to play alongside Cousins. Cousins for me, unless Kermit or Solly have a storming second-half of the season. Plus an honourable mention for Wilson. Not the greatest player but a great club servant. We would already be down were he not around to fill in where required.
Out of interest, does anyone have any good bets? 3 aways is covered with Newcastle, Blackpool and Sheffield United - but don't see much else of value. Advice welcome
Its a very long shot but Arsenal have a monumental injury list today including Ozil and Giroud. Must be good odds for a draw or a Cardiff away win. Likewise Man U without either Rooney or van Persie might boost Tottenham's chances. Two good draw options.
Charlton Team News... Marvin Sordell starts in place of Simon Church whilst Chris Solly and Rhoys Wiggins return to the starting eleven Alnwick Solly - Morrison - Wood - Wiggins Wilson - Cousins - Stephens - Stewart Kermorgant - Sordell Substitutes Bench Hamer - Evina - Devite - Jackson - Church - Pritchard - Cook
