A vital match
Every match in the Premiership is important. But if our form does fade away towards the end of the season (although with a stronger squad, I do not think we will see the decline of earlier seasons), we could well be competing with Bolton for a Uefa cup place.
Our record at home against Bolton in the Premiership has not been good. Three times we lost 1-2 and once we managed a draw. Part of the story is that they are a clogging side. One can just hear all the clichés, 'it's a man's game', 'it's a contact sport' as a key Charlton player limps off the pitch.
Wednesday night was fantastic. Indeed, I now rate it next to the Wembley final. Winning the championship at Blackburn was a great day out, but not a great match. But there was something special about humbling Chelski at the bridge, even if Mourinho insists it was a draw. So I suppose in the Carling Cup draw today it will be 'Chelsea or Charlton'.
Will the players be exhausted by their efforts on Wednesday, both physically and psychologically? The usual retort is that they are professional athletes, but 120+ minutes in a very competitive match can be very draining.
Although Chris Powell performed miracles on Wednesday, some of our correspondents still think we have a problem on the left and that the answer is to move the Herminator there, bringing in El K alongside Perry. Perhaps.
I am irrationally optimistic about today's game which is probably a bad sign, but this could be the first time we take three Premiership points off Bolton at The Valley.
Our record at home against Bolton in the Premiership has not been good. Three times we lost 1-2 and once we managed a draw. Part of the story is that they are a clogging side. One can just hear all the clichés, 'it's a man's game', 'it's a contact sport' as a key Charlton player limps off the pitch.
Wednesday night was fantastic. Indeed, I now rate it next to the Wembley final. Winning the championship at Blackburn was a great day out, but not a great match. But there was something special about humbling Chelski at the bridge, even if Mourinho insists it was a draw. So I suppose in the Carling Cup draw today it will be 'Chelsea or Charlton'.
Will the players be exhausted by their efforts on Wednesday, both physically and psychologically? The usual retort is that they are professional athletes, but 120+ minutes in a very competitive match can be very draining.
Although Chris Powell performed miracles on Wednesday, some of our correspondents still think we have a problem on the left and that the answer is to move the Herminator there, bringing in El K alongside Perry. Perhaps.
I am irrationally optimistic about today's game which is probably a bad sign, but this could be the first time we take three Premiership points off Bolton at The Valley.
posted by Wyn Grant at 5:51 AM
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