The Hosts – Charlton Athletic

Finally, the international break is over and the proper football returns. Gary Rowett takes his blue machine to South London to face Charlton Athletic tomorrow.

CURRENT FORM

Although it has been a season of struggle for The Addicks, their current form has improved. Two wins and a draw from their last four Championship outings suggest an upturn in results. However, Jose Riga`s men are still six points adrift of safety with just eight games remaining.

Blues have won just three of their last ten games and haven`t won away from St. Andrew`s in five attempts – the last away success coming at Derby back in January. Coincidentally, that Derby win was also the last time Blues managed to hit the target away from home.


WHAT TO EXPECT FROM CHARLTON

Charlton are far from down yet as their current upturn in results suggests. After supporters protested in disagreement at the running of the club, the team have put up a fight.

Jose Riga will have his men well drilled and organised. Charlton will see the Blues game as winnable especially if they can nick the first goal.

While Charlton do not boast a prolific goal scorer amongst their ranks, they do have a threat coming from Johann Berg Gudmundsson who has contributed with ten assists.

Their main problem lies in defence where they have shipped 69 goals, more than any other Championship club.

THE SYSTEM?

Considering Blues have difficulty scoring away from home, Rowett may think about adopting a 4-4-2 system with either James Vaughan or Kyle Lafferty partnering Clayton Donaldson. However, can Jon Toral play in such a system in an unnatural position?

In all likeliness, the tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 will be used with Toral in his preferred ‘number ten` role. I just hope and pray that Rowett doesn`t play the three central midfielders again.

THOUGHTS FROM VITAL CHARLTON

In response to the growing and very public protests from the fans at Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet, the club and the Police have issued warnings about ‘criminal behaviour.’

Citing the ‘increase in disorder’ both parties published the following statement on the official site.

‘The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and Charlton Athletic Football Club (CAFC) recognise the right of the fans to protest peacefully and both the MPS and the club continue to work together to ensure that protests take place in a way that is safe and lawful. Both the MPS and the club are in agreement that unlawful behaviour in the name of protest is not acceptable.’

The statement went on to say that a ‘number of criminal acts’ in recent games had been more than brought to their attention, and that behaviour during the protests had to cease. (Article via charlton.vitalfootball.co.uk)

THE FANS VIEWS

@Matandmo – hope we lose, get stuffed tbh, not my club anymore, get out

@Danny_Luds – If only the current circus at #cafc was one big April Fool

@DavidMurphy27 – Come on Duchitebag, we know its #AprilFools but the joke’s over now. Run the club properly FFS. #cafc

@BCFCal – Over 3,000 Bluenoses heading down to Charlton tomorrow. Another sold out away following, let’s hope for a big result! #bcfc

Article written by Rob Wildey – @robwildey123