A crucial game that could determine Charlton's fate takes place at The Valley tonight against bottom club Barnsley. Win their game in hand and the Addicks could breathe more easily in their relegation battle, moving ahead of Blackpool and Doncaster, and leaving them looking forward with confidence to the Good Friday game against Bolton. Lose and relegation to League 1 beckons. A draw would put them ahead of Blackpool could leave everything relying on the outcome of the last match of the season against the Tangerines.
Charlton are currently 11th in the form table and Barnsley are 16th. They have lost more games away from home than any team in the Championship, 13 in all, winning just three and drawing four.
The away fixture ended in a 2-2 draw at Oakwell in August. Charlton have won only one of the last eight meetings between the two clubs, drawing four and losing three. Their only win since 1999 was 6-0 at Oakwell last season. Barnsley are unbeaten in the last three meetings at The Valley, winning the last two. Charlton's last win at home was 3-1 in the old Division One in August 1999.
Chris Solly may make a start for Charlton, depending on whether he is judged to be fully fit. This would allow Lawrie Wilson to push forward more and use his creativity which we badly need. Even Diego Poyet seemed to below his usual standard in what was generally seen as a dire performance against Brighton, but Charlton always have difficulty with highly mobile sides that outwit them in counter attacks.
One fan is coming to a game for the first time since 2007. He had a row with his mates before a game in 2007 and left without going to the game. He bought a season ticket for the 2007-8 campaign and never used it! Let's hope his return is a lucky omen.
Odds are: Charlton 11/10, Draw 12/5, Barnsley 13/5
2 comments:
nIt's certainly a game that will test JR's skill at team selection and also the hunger of the players. I believe that it will be a very physical game, as defeat for Barnsley would probably consign them to relegation. They won't be holding back, that's for sure. We badly need our full backs to break with speed, as they did last season and the season before. That puts the opposition on the back foot from the start and would also offer some respite to our very tired midfield. I can see us winning again by our Tuesday score of 1-0 but any winning score will do.
Wyn, a win tonight will also move us above Birmingham and see us in 18th place. I just hope the pressure doesn't prove too much to get the much needed result.
Martin Cowan
Post a Comment