Will Howe raid Liverpool's young stars again?

There has been a lot of rumour about AFCB being interested in signing both Ryan Kent and Joe Gomez from Liverpool this summer. The moves would not break the bank and would bring in more youthful members to the squad. Ryan is a member of the England U20 and Joe has played for the England U21 team so the opportunity to work with future English players is certainly something that Howe is thinking about if these signings come off.

While Ryan Kent has been playing his football in the Championship with Barnsley, he is probably ready to try and join a team where he would get games in the Premier League. The winger is not a big goal scorer yet, but he scored a memorable goal against Leeds Utd with a great turn and powerful shot that has been noted.

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Joe Gomez has not had much of a chance to get his Liverpool career get going having signed from Charlton and become injured when playing for England's U21, but he has made three appearances for Liverpool this season and it would be more of a surprise if he came to AFCB in the footsteps of Brad Smith who has not yet made it as a regular starter at the Cherries. Whether this means that Brad could be on his way out is not yet clear, but if Howe has not been impressed enough this season with Brad Smith and sees more potential with Gomez then perhaps he will have put the Brad Smith signing down to experience.

It is intriguing whether Jurgen Klopp has had many conversations with Howe and the Cherries, but there does seem to be deals to be had, and if Howe is looking in that direction he may yet watch the progress of Danny Ings ,who is still recovering from his cruciate ligament injury, but may be back in action early next season.

Defensive woes for AFCB

Now with the injuries and suspensions for the defenders in the squad, AFCB are down to the bare bones. While Adam Smith, Charlie Daniels, Steve Cook and Tyrone Mings are likely to make up next week's back four, I am starting to wonder if Bailey Cargill will be recalled from his loan period at Gillingham that was due to end in January anyway. Bailey could certainly be used as a sub and if Eddie can't get a loan player or permanent signing in the next couple of weeks, we could be seeing more of Bailey back in the squad, which I am sure was not part of the plan for him. 

Nathan Aké is going back to Chelsea.

The recall of Nathan Aké could not have come at a worse time, along with Simon Francis' suspension. It's no wonder that AFCB tried to appeal the captain's red card against Arsenal. Injuries to Marc Wilson, hamstring, and Brad Smith's head injury at Millwall have just added further discomfort to preparations against Hull City. While Hull have not got the best goalscoring record they will be at home and it may just be that Eddie has to play a back three up there.

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Would Daniels, Cook and Adam Smith be such a bad way to go up at Hull City? Three at the back could certainly be a solution. The players enjoyed playing like that against Chelsea even if the result was not great. There are also plenty of midfielders to play and put on the bench now with Lewis Cook coming back towards full fitness, even if Emerson Hyndman looks set for a loan period at Glasgow Rangers.

In the longer term it seems that AFCB might be in talks with Liverpool over the recruitment of Mamadou Sakho and/or Joe Gomez, according to the Daily Mail.

Joe Gomez still an AFCB target?

The Liverpool Echo has been adamant in reporting that Joe Gomez is expected to be available on loan from Liverpool and AFCB are among the main suitors for his signature. The former Charlton full-back has not had much time at Anfield, but his Achilles injury that he suffered last October in an England U21 match has set him back a little and match experience is what he needs now.

While Huddersfield are also linked with the versatile defender, it has been said that AFCB have been interested in Gomez before Liverpool signed and could be another young player that Eddie Howe would be keen to work with. While the position of left back has been well covered the injury to Brad Smith opens up an opportunity for another signing and there is good reason to see why Gomes might be interested in staying in the Premier League. Liverpool are certainly a team that AFCB have been raiding of late and will have been keeping close tabs on any potential players that they may have spare with the style of play that fits well with what Eddie Howe's teams try and produce.

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With only five games under his belt as a Liverpool player, and just one season with Charlton, there is almost an unknown quality about how fast Joe Gomes can progress. Certainly, there is competition for his signature with Huddersfield Town of he Championship also said to be chasing Gomez. 

Klopp needn't worry unless he loses to AFCB

The good feeling Klopp factor may just be beginning to wear off on Merseyside. A draw against Spurs and a draw at home against Rubin Kazan was followed up with another draw against the Saints for Liverpool's new manager. While he needs time to get the best from his squad there will be some anxious faces in the Kop if the record of no win in four becomes a fact after the visit of the Cherries in the Capital One Cup.

For AFCB to achieve that they will need one of their best performances of the season so far. They have already played well at Anfield though and I'm sure that will help them. Meanwhile, Liverpool have not hit top form yet and were perhaps lucky to get through against Carlisle Utd in the last round of the cup, as were AFCB who also won through on penalties against Preston North End.

It's the injury list that is going to be hurting both sides though. Without Danny Ings and with Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke also spending some time on the sidelines, it has fallen to Divock Origi to try and score some goals in front of the Kop. The big danger man is Philippe Coutinho of course, while Adam Lallana is also now a player that Liverpool are looking to to start having big games. How many stars Klopp decides to rests could have a big influence on the outcome of the result. 

The weakness in the Anfield team is not just up front, it can also be seen in midfield without Henderson and at the back they have had to reshuffle after losing Joe Gomez for the season. Neither Bournemouth or Liverpool are likely to put out a full strength team for this game, but there is a sense that the Cherries won't have a much better chance of finally getting one over the team that has put them out of cup competitions on a regular basis in the last 12 months.

The AFCB players can hope that Liverpool are over confident in taking them on again in the cup, but it is important that Eddie Howe's team go out there and perform at the very top of their game. Having been battered in their last two games though, AFCB have to find their game straight away on the night. If Klopp could choose an opponent from the top flight to play it would probably be AFCB on recent form. 

Liverpool won't fold unless they are put under enormous pressure, and while the Cherries have won games against West Ham and Sunderland in the league there is a sense of unfinished business with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is not Brendan Rodgers though, and while there is a little bit of  tinkering going on at Anfield this could be the night when the Cherries can stun everyone and get their season going in a better direction. UTCIAD! 

The game tonight is going ahead as planned and the stadium has been reopened after a security incident.

Chicago Addick flies in to offer AFCB some Rival Lines

Rival Lines

Match Preview: Charlton v AFCB
Blogger Interview: Chicago Addick
Twitter @ChicagoAddick

You didn't expect me to have a quiet week when the Cherries have secured promotion did you. No, well with a final chance to squeeze in another Rival Lines with a Charlton blogger before we depart the Championship. Chicago Addick has been kind enough to spare Cherry Chimes a few moments of his time from his Bermuda hide away to let us glean a greater insight into Charlton Athletic. 

CC: What will you remember most about Charlton's 2014-15 season?

CA: The early promise under Bob Peeters, playing some of the best passing football I have seen in 40 years. The realisation that Peeters was useless tactically and after we got found out, he became clearly out of his depth. The utter derision that Guy Luzon’s appointment was met with after having the wool pulled over our eyes. The utter helplessness as we dropped down the table. The realisation that Luzon was actually his own man, a decent coach, played a simple game and got the best out of the players. Been quote a topsy-turvy season!

CC: Did you think that the teams that came up from League One last season made the Championship a tougher division?

CA: Very much. Wolves were always going to do well. I rate Jackett very highly. I also thought Brentford would adjust well, so that leaves Rotherham who became the league’s only ‘minnows’ if I can call them that. I always thought one or two of the ‘bigger’ clubs would struggle. Although how bad Fulham, Brighton and especially Wigan were surprised me.

CC: Do Charlton fans need to feel a common bond with their manager like they did with Chris Powell and Alan Curbishley?

CA: Yes. I think part of the tough adjustment we have had under our new owner and his network philosophy is that the club’s fans and owners and management was always pretty connected, and that is no longer the case. The game has changed of course and it is hard to form a connection with four managers in less than a year, but Addicks’ will always point to the club’s most successful times and the relationship they had with those managers – Jimmy Seed, Lennie Lawrence, Alan Curbishley & Chris Powell. It would be nice to have that again, but I can’t see it.

CC: Can you see qualities in Guy Luzon that you like?

CA: I think so. He got off to such a bad start that the initial rapport was exceptionally frosty. I still question his career and how he has got himself his jobs, but on face value he has instilled a stronger mentality playing players in their right position and using their best attributes. He simplifies things and is a straight talker. I doubt if The Valley will ever be serenading him from the rafters, but in tough circumstances he has stood up well. His second season at Standard was a disaster though, although mostly undone by the owner (our owner) selling his best players from under him. This summer is very important and Addicks’ will watch on carefully.

CC: Are there any early rumours of players that Charlton might bid for over the summer or are you more concerned with losing any of your players?

CA: Wikipedia Standard Liege, Sint Truiden, Upjest or Carl Zeiss Jena and help yourself! Seriously I sincerely hope that the management have learnt their lesson that The Championship is beyond 90 per cent of the network cast offs. The club need to sign players better than what we have be they from Belgium, Britain or elsewhere. Our immediate concern is who will stay? Yoni Buyens and Frederic Bulot will probably go back to Standard, then there are others out of contract. Most fans will be praying that Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Igor Vetokele and Joe Gomez stay and the club builds on what we have now, and not dismantles it. The summer will no doubt be as rocky a road as it has been since Roland Duchatelet took over.

CC: Sixty points is only six less than AFCB had last season when they were 10th so are Charlton not far off being a top six side?

CA: Probably only a couple of players as it stands. A big striker (that French bloke you’ve got will do), a commanding central midfielder who can grab a goal and a centre-half would probably have us competing for top six.

CC: Guy Luzon talked of a lack of quality after Charlton's last game against Birmingham but do you see that some of the Addicks' players have improved this season?

CA: Very few of them were around last season. Out of those that was is young Callum Harriott, but he has gone backwards and has had injury problems. Your old favourite Rhoys Wiggins has missed the bulk of the season to injury too. Morgan Fox has steadily improved at left back in Wiggins’ place and Joe Gomez has come into the first team at 17-years old and looks as if he has 300 appearances! The biggest improvement has been from Jordan Cousins, now playing in central midfield with Luzon, after Peeters insisted on playing him out wide.

AFCB have clinched promotion but is the game against Charlton more worrying for you now knowing that the title is still a possibility for the Cherries or do you believe it will give the Addicks more of a reason to play well and try and deny the Cherries something they want.

The last few games have been a struggle as Luzon tries to get them up for games that frankly don’t matter. Our last four games have been against other teams with nothing to play for, so I sincerely hope that AFCB bring the best out of us. I am personally glad you are already up, which takes the pressure of the day. My hope is that we turn up and not just roll over. Especially as I fly in from Bermuda Saturday morning just for the game. Congratulations to you and all Bournemouth fans and I look forward to being part of a great day out on Saturday.

CC: That has to be one of the biggest exile journey's to make - Bermuda to The Valley! How about that AFCB fans and Charlton aren't even going up. That's dedication and while I know Chicago Addick can't make every home match you won't find many more informed followers of the Addicks - some great answers. You can read more views on Charlton at Chicago Addicks' website.

Sadly, AFCB did not quite come out top in the football league ground awards but were highly recommended. They can rip the pitch up now I suppose as undersopil heating is a requirement of the Premier League!

Cherry Chimes' May Newsletter is out today and features the top stories from the blog in April to recall how AFCB reached the top flight. Stories include 90 minutes away from the Premier League and Fairy tales really do come true.

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