Scott Carson returns to The Valley as Wigan's goalkeeper on Sunday. Carson was a bright light in a dreadful 2006-7 season and received the player of the year award. I hope that he gets a good reception.
In their last league outing Wigan lost 1-0 at Blackpool, but managed to hit the crossbar twice. James McClean was sent off in injury time, but the red card has since been rescinded which is unfortunate for us as he is a good player. Also at their disposal is 'human battering ram' Grant Holt, although he came off the bench against Blackpool.
I never though that the Lactics were going to bounce straight back up again, particularly without Roberto Martinez at the helm, so the Four Four Two forecast of a 9th place finish seems about right.
Wigan secured a battling 1-1 draw against Russian outfit Rubin Kazan on Thursday which is impressive given that the visitors had won all eight of their previous Europa League matches. Coyle made five changes from the side that had played at Blackpool and they displayed fluency and considerable fighting spirit. The equaliser was scored by Manchester United loanee Nick Powell who is forecast to have a bright future. The England Under-21 international took his chance well, rifling home a shot that nestled in the corner of the net.
The last time we played Wigan at the Valley was in the Premiership on Saturday 31 March 2007. It was a one nil victory to Charlton with Darren Bent scoring from the penalty spot. The attendance was 26,500.
We can expect a competitive and hopefully entertaining game for 'football for a fiver' day, but I am forecasting a 2-1 victory for the Addicks.
Odds (Coral): Charlton 8/5, Draw 9/4, Wigan 17/10.
5 comments:
I always make myself very popular with other Charlton fans when discussing our Goalkeepers since our Wembley promotion.
I thought Ilic was a dreadful keeper. No one agreed. But as i now point out 'what happened to him after he left Charlton'
I feel much the same about Carson. Yes he could and did pull of some terrific saves. But to me he never had command of his area. His England performance showed him up badly and of course his career hasn't exactly reached dizzy heights. Nonetheless I will politely applaud his return to The Valley.
Daggs
Daggs, that one about Ilic can't go uncontested (and as you acknowledge no-one else agreed with you). I think he was an out-an-out confidence keeper and when that went - after he was kicked in the head away at Chelsea - there was nothing to fall back on. As you say, he had no sort of career after leaving us.
But for a period of time - which was a pretty important one for the club - he was immense, iconic and inspirational. The image of Sasha arms aloft with The Valley erupting in the background after the goal against Ipswich is one that I cherish (even though I wasn't at the game). Did you see his performance away at Birmingham before that in the 0-0 draw?
No i didn't see the Brum away game. But i do remember seeing him against Leicester at The Valley. When twice he charged off his goal-line to punch away and twice missed. Resulting in goals against both times.
But the fact i remember that appalling performance and you remember a good one, is not what it's about really. It was his overall ability throughout his time with us that i found to be below the required standard.
Of course he was loveable character and endeared himself to Charlton fans.
Actually i wasn't completely alone in my criticism of Sasa. An aquaintence was on the same aeroplane as the team coming back from a Premier match (can't remember which)He said he 'spoke' to Curbs on the plane and let him know just what he thought of Sasa.
So i had at least one ally. :)
You haven't mentioned Carson. Am i alone on this one too? :)
Daggs
A correction to my last post. It was not Leicester. but Liverpool at the Valley. They beat us 4 . 0 in the end.
On Carson, I will be applauding him today. I felt sorry for anyone playing in goal for us that season (while not having sympathy for many in front of him). He deserved the PoTY award. Like a number of other promising young England goalkeepers (Kirkland, Robinson etc) he hasn't had the career many thought possible early on, but for us for one season he did a thankless task to the best of his abilities.
Well, you forced me to get the programmes out to check some facts (which aren't my strong point). Ilic came in for the final 14 games of the league season and kept at least eight clean sheets, plus two more in the play-off semis. Three more in the first three games in the Premiership and I remember there was media talk of whether he could play for England.
I don't think the mistakes you remember were at home to Leicester; that game finished 0-0 (Everton perhaps?). And I'd agree that once his confidence went he wasn't a keeper that you could rely on (neither was his replacement, Petterson). Enter Deano, a real legend. But I'll always remember Sasha with nothing but affection.
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