Friday, August 19, 2005
Athletics meet this weekend
So....top of the league. You know as well as I do that the team that is top early on in the season always, just always, gets relegated!
Remember 1999? A draw at Newcastle and a 5-0 demolition of Southampton thanks to a super-Clive hatrick took us to the summit of the Premier League; A last day defeat by Sheffield Wednesday took us back to Division 1.
Will it happen this year too? I certainly hope not, and an indication may come this weekend when Charlton take on newly-promoted Wigan Athletic. This is the very first league meeting ever between the clubs.
Wigan ran an under-par Chelsea close in an emotional game last weekend and, as predicted by Pedro45, will be hard to beat all season. They played a negative game, but broke quickly, and are very well organised. They did not create much, but were difficult for - even - Chelsea to break down.
The official game preview can be found here.
If our boys can continue to play well, and put pressure on the away team, we may get the sort of performance and result that we want. No team changes are expected, other than Jerome Thomas (a second half sub for Rommerdahl last weekend) coming in for the suspended Ambrose.
The centre backs, who were fairly commanding last weekend by all accounts, will have their hands full with the pace of Roberts and Camara (who may be out injured...), and the midfield will need to be combative, as you know it will be crowded and Wigan will harry and chase all day. Up front, let's hope Dazza can push on and worry the new centre back pairing of De Zeuuw and Henchoz, who may not be able to cope with his pace. Our Dennis, fresh from his goal and assist for Denmark against England, will be full of confidence (hopefully!), and he is my man to watch this weekend: I expect a big game from him.
Three points, at least a couple of goals , and a solid defence should see Charlton stay top of the league, albeit until midweek (when other teams play but Charlton do not). Pedro45's prediction is a home win (2-0).
Come on you reds!
Remember 1999? A draw at Newcastle and a 5-0 demolition of Southampton thanks to a super-Clive hatrick took us to the summit of the Premier League; A last day defeat by Sheffield Wednesday took us back to Division 1.
Will it happen this year too? I certainly hope not, and an indication may come this weekend when Charlton take on newly-promoted Wigan Athletic. This is the very first league meeting ever between the clubs.
Wigan ran an under-par Chelsea close in an emotional game last weekend and, as predicted by Pedro45, will be hard to beat all season. They played a negative game, but broke quickly, and are very well organised. They did not create much, but were difficult for - even - Chelsea to break down.
The official game preview can be found here.
If our boys can continue to play well, and put pressure on the away team, we may get the sort of performance and result that we want. No team changes are expected, other than Jerome Thomas (a second half sub for Rommerdahl last weekend) coming in for the suspended Ambrose.
The centre backs, who were fairly commanding last weekend by all accounts, will have their hands full with the pace of Roberts and Camara (who may be out injured...), and the midfield will need to be combative, as you know it will be crowded and Wigan will harry and chase all day. Up front, let's hope Dazza can push on and worry the new centre back pairing of De Zeuuw and Henchoz, who may not be able to cope with his pace. Our Dennis, fresh from his goal and assist for Denmark against England, will be full of confidence (hopefully!), and he is my man to watch this weekend: I expect a big game from him.
Three points, at least a couple of goals , and a solid defence should see Charlton stay top of the league, albeit until midweek (when other teams play but Charlton do not). Pedro45's prediction is a home win (2-0).
Come on you reds!
