It's a return to the Valley after a fortnight away with a visit from Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. Like Charlton, the Owls have endured a mixed start to the season, with wins over Burnley and Watford tempered by heavy losses to Wolves and Reading. They're just a point behind the Addicks in the league and will be looking to build on a solid draw against Ipswich when they come calling at the weekend.Charlton return home with four points out of six from their travels. I guess this can not be considered a bad return but reading the report from Forest, I can't help but feel this could have been a maximum return had we showed a bit more attacking endeavour. Once again Pardew's tinkering ways came to the fore and Andy Gray was dropped in favour of Grant Basey to provide a more packed midfield. As our top scorer, and having scored in the previous game (against Doncaster), I was surprised that Pardew sacrificed the Scot. Even more surprising was the decision to include Grant Basey in a holding midfield role, when surely Jose Semedo would have been a preferable and more experienced option. Why we lined up so negatively against a team with such a poor defensive record in the first place remains even more baffling.
The game gave more cause for concern with injuries to both Jonathan Fortune and Martin Cranie. Our already limited defensive options look like they are being stretched already and leaves Pardew with some interesting decisions when naming his team for Saturday. Providing that those two remain out of the equation, I expect Yassin Moutaouakil to make the return to right back that many of the Addickted have been craving. That would leave Hudson to try and strike up a partnership in central defence with Linvoy Primus, with Kelly Youga continuing at left back.
I can't see Pardew being so negative as to stick with the 4-1-4-1 formation he deployed against Forest and expect a return to 4-4-2. With that in mind, I imagine he will stick with the quartet of Sam, Holland, Bailey and Bouazza. There is a case for the return of Zheng Zhi and one that I would fully advocate, if only to give Matt Holland a break. But Pardew is clearly happy with the work the senior midfielder has put in so far and I don't think he will be dropped. Ambrose still doesn't seem to be getting a look in with the starting XI and Semedo is likely to see his frustration mount as he watches on from the bench.
With Andy Gray once again partnering Luke Varney up font, I expect us to line up as follows: Weaver; Moutaouakil, Hudson, Primus, Youga; Sam, Bailey, Holland, Bouazza; Gray, Varney. Subs: Elliot, Basey, Semedo, Ambrose, Dickson.
I have a suspicion that is likely to be completely wrong however, as Cranie may be fit to start and Pardew may choose to give Zheng a place on the bench. Last year's home tie against Wednesday was a cracker with the now departed Chris grabbing a brace in a 3-2 victory. I'm not expecting to see a repeat of that but I do hope we can show a bit of the attacking flair that sadly seems to have gone missing after the Reading game. Like the Royals, Wednesday will be playing in blue and white stipes (albeit vertical) so let's hope that jogs a few players memories.
The game gave more cause for concern with injuries to both Jonathan Fortune and Martin Cranie. Our already limited defensive options look like they are being stretched already and leaves Pardew with some interesting decisions when naming his team for Saturday. Providing that those two remain out of the equation, I expect Yassin Moutaouakil to make the return to right back that many of the Addickted have been craving. That would leave Hudson to try and strike up a partnership in central defence with Linvoy Primus, with Kelly Youga continuing at left back.
I can't see Pardew being so negative as to stick with the 4-1-4-1 formation he deployed against Forest and expect a return to 4-4-2. With that in mind, I imagine he will stick with the quartet of Sam, Holland, Bailey and Bouazza. There is a case for the return of Zheng Zhi and one that I would fully advocate, if only to give Matt Holland a break. But Pardew is clearly happy with the work the senior midfielder has put in so far and I don't think he will be dropped. Ambrose still doesn't seem to be getting a look in with the starting XI and Semedo is likely to see his frustration mount as he watches on from the bench.
With Andy Gray once again partnering Luke Varney up font, I expect us to line up as follows: Weaver; Moutaouakil, Hudson, Primus, Youga; Sam, Bailey, Holland, Bouazza; Gray, Varney. Subs: Elliot, Basey, Semedo, Ambrose, Dickson.
I have a suspicion that is likely to be completely wrong however, as Cranie may be fit to start and Pardew may choose to give Zheng a place on the bench. Last year's home tie against Wednesday was a cracker with the now departed Chris grabbing a brace in a 3-2 victory. I'm not expecting to see a repeat of that but I do hope we can show a bit of the attacking flair that sadly seems to have gone missing after the Reading game. Like the Royals, Wednesday will be playing in blue and white stipes (albeit vertical) so let's hope that jogs a few players memories.
1 comment:
Come on Sheffield Wednesday! Should be a good match, we will either leak 4 or score 4, or both!
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