Chelsea preview
Along with some 3,000 other Addicks I will be going along to the Bridge tomorrow night to see Charlton play Chelsea in the Carling Cup. 1st v 2nd in the Premiership but we all know that the odds are on a Chelsea victory, even if they don't field their full first team, their second string containing players who would be regular starters at The Valley.
So why I am going? Fortunately, I have to be in London anyway tomorrow. I suppose there is always the possibility of a Charlton win. We have beaten Chelsea in the Premiership at the Bridge, but that was in the days of Ken Bates before their Russian benefactor came along. His plan is to make Chelsea No.1 in the world for one hundred years. Us? We're happy to be No.1 in South London.
With Smertin watching from the stands, who will take his slot (assuming that Ambrose continues to replace Thomas)? The estimable E mail Bulletin says:
'Bryan Hughes and Matt Holland would be the most likely to battle it out for the midfield position'. Well, that hardly sets my pulse racing, but I think Holland would have more to offer. As a transatlantic Addick remarked earlier today, what he has seen of Hughes in his ten minute cameos gives him no grounds for optimism. He's a decent enough player who would shine in the Championship, but is always going to be a bench warmer in the Premiership. Having said that, he'll probably go and score tomorrow night.
The Bloke Behind Me is always screaming for an all out attack strategy when Charlton are behind. 'You might as well lose 4-0 as 2-0'. Well, not quite, because the deterioration in our goal difference could lose us a vital place at the end of the season.
But in this sort of game, why not have a go? Put Bothroyd up front in a 4-4-2 with Darren Bent. Bothroyd might just be able to handle Terry. At least it would make for an entertaining match, rather than a solid defensive performance brought to an end when Chelsea score in the 52nd minute.
I'm not impressed by Spector and would bring Powell back in, with Spector on the bench for when he tires. El Karkouri should also be on the bench and I suppose JJ will get his usual slot, allowing him to come on for the last few minutes.
And when you think about it, Charlton probably have more chance of beating Chelsea, if only in a penalty shoot out, than Leamington do of drawing at Colchester. Only 1,050 tickets for the Brakes fans, so there's already an argument about who gets what. The players, meantime, are going to stay overnight in a hotel
before the match, while manager Cadzy has promised the Sun he will not cut his much criticised barnet while the Brakes are still in the FA Cup. At least at Colchester there will be no pitch invasion by fans in wheelchairs as there was after the win at Ossett Town!
So why I am going? Fortunately, I have to be in London anyway tomorrow. I suppose there is always the possibility of a Charlton win. We have beaten Chelsea in the Premiership at the Bridge, but that was in the days of Ken Bates before their Russian benefactor came along. His plan is to make Chelsea No.1 in the world for one hundred years. Us? We're happy to be No.1 in South London.
With Smertin watching from the stands, who will take his slot (assuming that Ambrose continues to replace Thomas)? The estimable E mail Bulletin says:
'Bryan Hughes and Matt Holland would be the most likely to battle it out for the midfield position'. Well, that hardly sets my pulse racing, but I think Holland would have more to offer. As a transatlantic Addick remarked earlier today, what he has seen of Hughes in his ten minute cameos gives him no grounds for optimism. He's a decent enough player who would shine in the Championship, but is always going to be a bench warmer in the Premiership. Having said that, he'll probably go and score tomorrow night.
The Bloke Behind Me is always screaming for an all out attack strategy when Charlton are behind. 'You might as well lose 4-0 as 2-0'. Well, not quite, because the deterioration in our goal difference could lose us a vital place at the end of the season.
But in this sort of game, why not have a go? Put Bothroyd up front in a 4-4-2 with Darren Bent. Bothroyd might just be able to handle Terry. At least it would make for an entertaining match, rather than a solid defensive performance brought to an end when Chelsea score in the 52nd minute.
I'm not impressed by Spector and would bring Powell back in, with Spector on the bench for when he tires. El Karkouri should also be on the bench and I suppose JJ will get his usual slot, allowing him to come on for the last few minutes.
And when you think about it, Charlton probably have more chance of beating Chelsea, if only in a penalty shoot out, than Leamington do of drawing at Colchester. Only 1,050 tickets for the Brakes fans, so there's already an argument about who gets what. The players, meantime, are going to stay overnight in a hotel
before the match, while manager Cadzy has promised the Sun he will not cut his much criticised barnet while the Brakes are still in the FA Cup. At least at Colchester there will be no pitch invasion by fans in wheelchairs as there was after the win at Ossett Town!
posted by Wyn Grant at 6:08 PM
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