Hope all is well FHB. As for the game, think its going to be tough, and a bit of a battle at points. I'm torn between 1-1 or a 2-1 win, but will go for the latter. Morrison or cort and BWP.
It depends I think on which Leyton Orient teams turn up - the one that ran rings around our 10 men on New Year's Eve, or the team that has left them glancing nervously at the relegation zone. Crowd will be crucial. 2-0 win, not champagne stuff but it never is at this time of the season.
Here's my preview - I've predicted a draw because I think we'll struggle again. Out-of-form Londoners to do battle Charlton Athletic host Leyton Orient on Saturday, with both sides looking to reignite their campaigns after poor runs of form. League leaders Charlton suffered their third loss in 5 at Huddersfield Town’s Galpharm Stadium last weekend, whilst Leyton Orient’s narrow mid-week win at Oldham was just their second in 9 outings. However, form can go out the window at any time in a football season, particularly in a derby encounter (although the Charlton vs Orient clash isn’t the most fearsome of rivalries), and both sides will be hopeful of claiming a vital 3 points to boost their contrasting campaigns. Despite a recent blip, the Addicks have held League One’s top spot for over half a year now, whilst Orient’s stop-start campaign has seen them become entangled in a relegation scrap. After a disastrous opening 10 games without victory, the Os put together an impressive 9 game unbeaten run which saw them climb off the bottom spot and clear of relegation. Defeat to promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday halted their surge up the table, and Russell Slade’s side have since failed to recapture the kind of form that saw them miss out on last years playoffs by just 1 point. Victory in Saturday’s reverse fixture at Brisbane Road on New Year’s Eve was a high point in an otherwise disappointing season, as Matt Spring’s deflected strike earned The Os a sound 1-0 win. In Chris Powell’s first full season in charge, the Addicks have enjoyed a sterling run. They have broken the club’s league away wins record with 3 trips still to play, and in Bradley Wright-Phillips have the first 20-goals-a-season striker since the Premier League days of Darren Bent. Funded by the sale of Carl Jenkinson to Arsenal in the summer, Powell revamped his squad with a combined total of over 40 signings and departures, and his young squad have been the clear front-runners in the charge for promotion. Although uncharacteristic lapses in defence have cost them dear in recent encounters, a solid rearguard has been the basis of their success. Even if they are on top form, Orient may struggle to break down a dependable back five. In terms of team news, Powell will be forced into making changes to his side again after Darel Russell joined the list of absentees last weekend. A reckless reaction to Anthony Kay’s wayward tackle earned him a straight red card, and so Dale Stephens may step into the fold. Influential skipper Johnnie Jackson looks likely to remain sidelined with injury, but forward Yann Kermorgant could return to the bench if he shakes off an illness that ruled him out of the Huddersfield clash. Paul Hayes was recalled from his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers shortly before the match to replace Kermorgant, but failed to prevent the loss. Hayes is likely to retain his place even if the Frenchman returns, having scored 6 in his last 7. Millwall attacker Dany N’Guessan and QPR wideman Lee Cook were brought in by the Charlton boss on loan to cover injuries, and will look to make an impact against the Os - the latter in particular, who spent the first half of the season at Brisbane Road as a loanee. Cook also spent time with the Addicks in 2008, but struggled for fitness on his return from injury and made little impact. Former-Charlton and now Leyton Orient striker David Mooney insists that they “will go there with confidence after Tuesday’s win”, despite their poor form. They may be boosted by the return of Scott Cuthbert in defences and star winger Dean Cox, who missed the midweek clash against Oldham, but Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Jamie Jones and Lee Butcher all remain sidelined. Orient will travel, looking to become the only team to do the double over the Addicks. Their win on New Year’s Eve, aided by Charlton ‘keeper Ben Hamer’s early sending off, was just the second time the league leaders had tasted defeat and Powell hopes to avoid another loss at the hands of Russell Slade’s side. Possible Lineups Charlton Athletic: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins; Wagstaff, Stephens, Hollands, Cook; Hayes, Wright-Phillips Leyton Orient: Rachubka; Forbes, Chorley, Cuthbert, Leacock; Reed, Spring, Porter; Mooney, Smith, Lisbie Prediction Charlton Athletic 1 - 1 Leyton Orient A bore draw as neither team shrugs off lingering performance issues.
That's what I want, Tewkes. I had a bit of a heart scare last weekend, so not too much excitement please, Charlton. A couple of early goals so that I can get my flask of bovril out at half-time.[/QUOTE] Hope you are on the mend Bill. Take care.
Hamer; Solly, Wiggins, Cort, Morrison; Wagstaff, Hollands, Stephens, Cook; Wright-Phillips, Kermorgant Subs: Sullivan, Taylor, Pritchard, Green, N’Guessan Hayes drops out of the 16 man squad, Lee Cook starts for his 2nd debut... Stephens and Hollands are back together in the middle! COYR
Great posts Belvedere and Waddick I'm going to go for a win in this one, as I can't begin to contemplate how depressed I'll be this evening if we don't! One problem with playing Orient is Dave Mooney and Kevin Lisbie both being out to prove something against us (pretty sure they're both still with Orient?). Hopefully our loss on New Years Eve will be enough of an inspiration for our lads to go out there and do the business though.
Leyton Orient: Rachubka; Leacock, Forbes, Cuthbert, Chorley; Smith, Reed, Spring; Porter, Mooney, Lisbie 4 ex addicks in the starting line up for Orient... Rachubka//Spring//Mooney//Lisbie
For once I have a signal at the valley! Sorry for Hayes. There is obviously a problem between him and Powell. Sheffield. Wednesday look like winning sadly No sign of Ackers selling his book. Maybe I got there too late. Been away this week. I take it he's banned again?
The team CP has selected is exactly what I would have predicted, if Kermorgant and Cook are fit and Jackson is unfit. But I am surprised to see N'Guessan instead of Hayes on the bench. Unless Hayes is unfit, he must be really pissed off.
See Sheff Wed beat Preston 2-0... Gap now only 5points... Must win today !! COYR's dont care about the performance just need the 3points!!
Exactly what we needed... EARLY GOAL!! GET IN!!!!!!!!!!! Great quick free-kick sent Wiggins clear down the left & he surged into the box, squared to Waggy, who converted from close range
You may have heard my sigh of relief from here - chalk another one up to my absence - arrived back home two minutes ago! Don't understand the situation with Hayes at all, if indeed there is one. COYR!
Just got a text - "Referee as bad as any we've seen this season, completely clueless and missing things all over the place. Not good."
