Saturday 12 August 2017

Double Devon delight...

Charlton play their second successive game in Devon this afternoon, having seen a young side come from being to despatch with Exeter City.

A bit of a dilemma in selection upfront for Robinson. With no target men available and Watt not really looking upto it I wonder how the attacking end of the team will line up. Maybe Reeves and Sharpe playing behind Ahearne Grant. It's difficult to call.

Plymouth have list both of their opening games on in the League and the hokey cokey cup, so will be looking desperately to get some points on the board.

If we carry the spirit and attacking mentality we showed against Bristol Rovers into this game I can't see us losing.

Plymouth 1 Charlton 2, and hopefully finishing the game with eleven Charlton players on the pitch.

COYR...

Monday 7 August 2017

Charlton win the right way...

A crowd of 12,968, swelled by a decent number of travelling Bristolians saw Charlton get off to a winning start despite playing much of the game with only ten men following Novaks early sending off.

The atmosphere at The Valley was nothing like that which i rarely enjoyed last season.  There was a real coming together throughout the stands, promoted no doubt by the recent silence from our Belgium owners and CEO and improved communications overall from the club staff on the ground.

The positive performance must also be commented on. Despite only having ten men this Charlton side continuously surged forward looking to add that second goal.  Ricky Holmes did not disappoint, and showed why it was so important to our chances this season that we retained his services.

Kashi was awesome in the midfield general role, and again will prove to be a pivotal part of any success this squad achieve over the coming month's. Dasilva looked comfortable as both a defensive and attacking full back.  All in all a great day at the office.

The only player not to come out looking at full marks was Tony Watt.  He didn't look at all sharp and certainly not match fit.

The issue we have for the next couple of weeks, until Magennis returns, is who plays up front. I don't think either Watt or Ahearne Grant could play that holding up target man type of role that the former two mentioned can, pulling in Sharpe, Fosu and Holmes into attacking play. Perhaps Robinson will tweak tactics until Magennis is available again.

Happy with the direction things look to be taking so far.

Man of the Match: Ricky Holmes

Could do Better: Tony Watt

Friday 4 August 2017

A change in Regime policy...

So a line is drawn under our Preseason preparation with the signing of Ben Reeves.

To be honest it's been completely different to any of the recent build ups under this regime. Some good additions to the squad, rebuffing bids for Ricky Holmes and giving him the reward of a new contract. All of this combined with Kashis return to fitness and the squad leave me feeling confident ahead of tomorrow's big kick off.

Even Robinson is growing on me. He may have a motor mouth but he does seem to be the man in charge and looks like he actually understands what Charlton is all about.

Bowyer and Jackson as his bench buddies could be inspired and present us with a young and dynamic management team.

It all reminds me of both the 85 86 promotion Preseason and that of Sir Chris Powell's League One championship campaign.

There are however some very strong sides competing for in League One this season. I don't think we're quite up to speed for an automatic place but believe the top six and a triumphant trip to Wembley is well within our sites.

COYR

Match Prediction: Charlton 3 Bristol Rovers 1