Saturday 2 May 2015

What are Charlton's strengths?

Charlton may be feeling like a bridesmaid left standing at the altar when AFCB come to play them today. It's not always fun to be at a party when you are not the centre of attention, but the Addicks have had a reasonable season despite having made a managerial change. Watford fans may say that they should have changed manager a few more times, but sitting in the top half of the table Charlton have certainly improved from last season and they will not want to come second best to Bournemouth at The Valley on Saturday.
What final day dramas will we see at The Valley?
Their strike force may not have scored the number of goals that the Cherries have but in Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Igor Vetokele they now have forwards that have played a season in the Championship and they are likely to be stronger for the experience next season. They both have 11 goals and Gudmundsson I hear has been perhaps the pick of the Charlton players this season. Chris Eagles is also a payer who can get on the score sheet but only came to the club on a free transfer in February having been at Blackpool - Eddie Howe will know all about the wide man from his days at Burnley.

Charlton have also defended well though and it is good to see that Stephen Henderson is getting regular games for them in goal. At the back they also have the Cameroon international Andre Bikey who is a season campaigner having played for Middlesbrough, Reading and Burnley in the past and he is now 30. Ben Haim an Israeli international also adds experience to the Addicks' midfield. Their season though has been a case of drawing too many games. Their draws are up to 18 now and if they had won eight of those games they would have been banging on the door of the play-offs.

So it has not been a totally bad season for the Addicks, but I get the feeling that they are looking forward more to 2015/16 from what CEO Katrien Maire had to say on their website about a preview before the AFCB game: "We will also be revealing our new home kit before the game and I hope that is one of many reasons why fans will already be looking forward to 2015/16."

Well hopefully Charlton fans don't have much more to look forward to on Saturday's display from their team than that. AFCB have to do their job which is to try and win the game. They may find a draw is also a good enough result to win the trophy. I'd like to see Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall pick up the Championship title more because of what happened a couple of seasons ago with Doncaster. The important thing is that the Cherries are up, but it would make the open bus tour a lot more special with a Championship winning trophy to hold up high.

I'd like to ask a favour from Sheffield Wednesday as well if I could - a clean sheet for you today please! It's not too much to ask for is it?
Let's not give AFCB a bad name. Allow Charlton to celebrate
their team on the last day of the season.
Finally, like AFCB I would like to repeat that while I Hope everyone has fun on the final day of the season, please behave and respect Charlton Athletic and keep off the pitch!! The presentations that follow the game should be great to see but for Eddie and JT and the players please keep off the grass. We don't want anyone spoiling the reputaton of our great club, especially with global TV viewing of the pictures from The Valley. Let Charlton enjoy their last home game and respect their fans who will help make it a special day at the Valley. 

Charlton Home Form
WLWDW

AFCB Away Form
LWDWW

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