Friday 22 August 2014

Will it be tough 'oop north?

Not so long ago well-known Charlton fan Jonathan Acworth predicted that both Charlton and Millwall would go up this season. If you looked at the present state of the table, you might believe him, whilst Huddersfield Town are just above the relegation zone in 20th. However, it's early days and the Terriers got their season going with a good win at Reading midweek: First points

The Terriers are still without a manager, despite persistent rumours that Chris Powell might take his flat cap 'oop north. Last season they finished 17th and they could well be in a similar position at the end of the current season. Having enjoyed good fortune in avoiding the drop in 2102-13, little was expected from them last season, but they did well until running out of steam a little towards the end. It was reckoned that Mark Robins had a made steady improvement on a low budget, but the opening day defeat made him the first managerial casualty.

Four Four Two says: 'Steady and unspectacular are probably the operative words for most of Town's key performers: ever-present keeper Alex Smithies; combative breakthrough defender Tommy Smith; pinpoint passing Adam Hammill; and goal scorer Jamie Vaughan.' Vaughan averaged three shots per game throughout last season. Only four players across the entire Football League hit more. He has been side lined by a calf injury, and at this point I am uncertain about his availability tomorrow. He is continuing to 'receive treatment' which could mean anything. Key danger man Adam Clayton has gone to Middlesbrough.

The home side has a number of injury worries, including their captain, but it seems that Nick Pope will continue in goal with Stephen Henderson's hamstring continuing to be 'monitored': Injury list

This summer's transfer activity to date means that the Town midfield is well stocked, but fans consider that the defence needs reinforcing and more options are required up front: Transfers

Last year we lost the away match in the league 2-1, have won by a single goal in the preceding season. Odds are: Huddersfield 23/20, Draw 12/5, Charlton 9/4.

Work tasks are taking me away from the UK for a few days and I regret that I will be unable to provide coverage of this game or the cup game at Derby. Who knows, when I return, Andy Delort may have signed! Or not.

Glass Half Empty

Derek from Dymchurch writes: 'That Belgian geezer has ridden his luck up to now with two home matches and the away match up the river. Now he has to go 'oop north and I reckon this is where the wheels will come off. The northern cloggers will soon put paid to his fancy footwork. Mind you I give him some credit for giving Rosler what for about events in Belgium 100 years ago. Here on the Kent coast vigilance is our watchword.'

'Maybe we will ride our luck this season. So I will make an offer up front: if we are promoted, I will give the team a day out in Dymchurch, including five pounds worth of tokens at the amusement park and a return ticket to Dungeness on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch. As for Wyn, I wish him well on his slow boat to China.'

12 comments:

Brian G said...

I've vowed never to go back there after our 1-0 defeat there in our promotion season. I have never seen such a poor refereeing performance as Boyeson gave that day, not even in this summer's World Cup, in the face of Town's over-physical approach to the game. It will, I think, be our hardest challenge so far this season and it will tell us a lot about the squad. I expect us to get something from the game, though.

Wyn Grant said...

I have seen two good away wins there, one a 0-3 away win midweek and another one around Christmas time when Johnnie Robinson shone. It was an early kick off and were so delighted we headed to Rotherham in Brian Cole's minibus to support Brighton. I think that your overall assessment for tomorrow is spot on. The referee tomorrow actually comes from West Sussex so he may be impartial.

Anonymous said...

It will be very very tough oop north but it's only grim if you live there! We will come away with all 3 pts 1-2. and the bookies will start to get the message.
Oh ye downtrodden reds of little faith! how can you not believe in a new dawn, at least until after the first loss.

Anonymous said...

As from country and western Derek, he's really trying to put the mockers on it. Wheels falling off, he's obsessed with his miniature railway. When are amusement tickets for Derek? January, maybe it is grim down south after all.

boitom said...

we wont lose .i am sure

Unknown said...

I reckon Derek from Dymchurch should look after his sheep,cause he aint got a clue about football.

Anonymous said...

Soft Southern Bastards get proper twatted by Town......YORRRRRKSHIRE

Anonymous said...

Eeeee by gum!!! you sure hard man?
Come down here and I'll buy you a pint of piss water!
Yorkee.

Anonymous said...

Haha, Yorkshire puddings 0-3 southern bastards. Us 'southern bastards' are loving this.....wigan, derby and..., sorry hudders who????!!!!!

Anonymous said...

proper twatted?? Is that something to do with twitter???....or is it you who's a proper TOSSER :-)......enjoy the humiliation.

Brian G said...

We were only just right, Wyn! it sounds as if the game was played out pretty much as envisaged. Peeters has said in an interview with the BBC that Huddersfield deserved to win. His decision to push Bikey upfront ultimately got us the point as Bikey headed on a long ball to Vetokele who scored yet again. I don't want to build him up too soon but have we found another Killer?

Unknown said...

Well thanks for the write up yes i did predict us and scumwall to go up i was just looking at all the players both clubs have brought in .I have been very impressed by peeters from the 2 games i have seen charlton play we at last have a proven goalscorer in ventokle i hope i spelt him right! he seems to know whwere the goal is unlike the strikers over the past decade at the club!i reckon he will get 25 plus strike rate this season if he stays fit.Failure to get this other striker andy d i think we should take a look at the following strikers who i think are good enough for the championship and would cost far less than reported we have bid for andy!.

cox forest
baldock bristol city
kyomya chelsea reserves
crouch up for grabs at 1m
murray palarse
vaz te west ham
lisbie? orient