Charlton vs Bristol Rovers

[miagsygas]

Good test for the season opener.

Charlton gave us an absolute hiding in both of our respective games last season (1-5 and 4-1) yet we still managed to finish above them. Both teams will have reasons to feel relatively optimistic heading into the season and both teams finished off with good results in the last pre-season games. Always tricky to predict the first game of the season, but I will say I'd most certainly take a point. That being said, I think Charlton will edge it in a game a lot more even than our ones from last season.

Can see us lining up in the new 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 that i could see us using a lot particularly in away games next season, but with DC we could easily line up in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 with wingbacks, you never really know.

 

[Bobbin']

Will be a tough game but I'm feeling confident.

There seems to be a better feeling and spirit amongst the place and players at the minute which will certainly help to improve on last season. An interview with Ricky Holmes went out today in which he is saying how he's sensed a better atmosphere than the one he walked into a year ago and he seemed very confident of a good season and was talking up some of the new signings.

We've been performing well in pre-season and no better than Saturday when we blew Ipswich away 6-1, apparently playing some real classy football with tempo. It's good to be going into the season with the team playing well and with confidence.

I fancy us to start with a 2-0 win.

Robinson will go with his usual 4-2-3-1 I'm sure.

Amos

Dasilva
Pearce
Bauer
Solly

Forster-Caskey
Kashi

Fosu
Clarke/Watt/Reeves (Not sure who Robbo will opt for out of Clarke and Watt and obviously Reeves is dependent on whether he actually signs, he's not had a pre-season either so don't think he'd start ahead of the others to start with anyway.)
Holmes

Magennis

 

[Aber gas]

Charlton absolutely smashed us last season but like Sven, I have a feeling. I'm going for a sneaky 2-1 win with Sinclair clattering Ricky "pele" Holmes within 10 minutes. Sercombe and Nichols with the goods.
UTG

 

[Cornish Piskie]

The head to head between us suggests a Charlton win. 17 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats. 63 goals to 35 hints at a 2-1 scoreline. Yeah, OK.... that's statistical and is no real guide to what will happen now, but some places are just a "bogey ground" and perhaps the Valley is one of those for Rovers.

Pirates last win at the Valley was in 1958 and before that, 1929. That's either a good omen for Charlton or a "Good time to break a duck" for Rovers.

Everybody wants to get off to a flyer when a new season starts so it can go either way.

I don't make predictions and I never will.

 

[Aber gas]

The head to head between us suggests a Charlton win. 17 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats. 63 goals to 35 hints at a 2-1 scoreline. Yeah, OK.... that's statistical and is no real guide to what will happen now, but some places are just a "bogey ground" and perhaps the Valley is one of those for Rovers.

Pirates last win at the Valley was in 1958 and before that, 1929. That's either a good omen for Charlton or a "Good time to break a duck" for Rovers.

Everybody wants to get off to a flyer when a new season starts so it can go either way.

I don't make predictions and I never will.

Is it still tense at the valley with your crap owners still there?

 

[Cornish Piskie]

Is it still tense at the valley with your crap owners still there?

It would probably be better to ask Bobbin or any of the other South London based Addicks fans, Abs. they're much more knowledgeable than I.

I haven't lived in SE3 since I left to go to Uni in 2002 and even then, I spent more time at BRFC than CAFC.

But the Duchatelet / Meire axis is still in situ and all seems to be "as you were". Whether the protests will continue with the same level of intensity as last season is yet to be seen.

Now, I don't usually read the Daily Mail... .more of a Guardian reader, actually..... and I certainly don't agree the general tenor of the article, that bringing women to the FA would be a bad thing (typical Daily Mail), but as a resume of what has happened at the Valley under her stewardship of the club, it's gives you at least a reasonable run down of what is going on here.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-hire-women-not-Charlton-s-Katrien-Meire.html

But I hope Pirates fans are given a good welcome by our fans next week. We shouldn't let our woes infringe on a friendly welcome, albeit with some good rivalry and banter mixed in. If you come on up, I hope you enjoy your day.... just as long as your team loses..!!

 

[GEORGE]

I'll go for a 5 all draw.

 

[Gassy]

Last few meetings:
5-1 Charlton
4-1 Charlton

By laws of physics, this one will end 3-1 Charlton with Rovers getting ever closer to finally beating Charlton in 2024

 

[K-Win]

Can't bring myself to click on a Daily Fail link - sorry

 

[Cornish Piskie]

Can't bring myself to click on a Daily Fail link - sorry

I don't blame you. When I clicked on the article I could only do it with a peg on my nose.

 

[Lamby]

Surely it's gotta be a 6-0 hammering for them, at least they'll be able to count to six on one hand.

 

[Bobbin']

So could you, one hand and the dick on your head.

 

[Aber gas]

So could you, one hand and the dick on your head.

We've all got ones like Lamby at our clubs mate.

 

[Marked Ox]

Charlton absolutely smashed us last season but like Sven, I have a feeling. I'm going for a sneaky 2-1 win with Sinclair clattering Ricky "pele" Holmes within 10 minutes. Sercombe and Nichols with the goods.
UTG

How has Sercs got on in pre-season?

 

[miagsygas]

How has Sercs got on in pre-season?

Haven't seen much of him personally, but heard some good things. It's a tough midfield to get into so if he's starting regularly he'll be doing a good job.

 

[Gassy]

I'm bloody psyched for this game tomorrow.

I woke up yesterday thinking it was Saturday - which sucked for work & football.

I'll be enjoying this on iFollow too - can't describe how good this service is!

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Really looking forward to the season starting now. I've been very pleased with our business and the fact we've managed to sign Sweeney on a season-long loan in time for this game is superb. Whether he'll start I don't know, but he'll be a massive player for us again this year.

We couldn't have got handed a much tougher start away at Charlton, but first game of the season may be the perfect time to play a side that will be much improved from last season.

 

[Gassy]

If I wasn't excited before, I am now. I'm bloody over the moon with Sweeney signing. Stoke fans seem to rate this Telford chap too.

Game on tomorrow!

 

[South Bristol Gas]

Getting Sweeney back today after how brilliant he was last season was crucial. I think we have a excellent squad this season with quality in depth.

I'm confident we can beat charlton tomorrow and finish top 6 this season.

I'm going 1-2 with Nichols and sercombe to score

UTG

 

[miagsygas]

Just seen lineup. Going to lose

 

[Lamby]

Never a red, cheating c*** rovers likr always

 

[Gassy]

First 15 minutes iFollow had bloody Doncaster on! Apparently Gillingham had this game on! Can't comment on the red as it wasn't working - but commentary said it was a harsh red.

First half thoughts watching on iFollow - we are crap up front, get Harrison off, he's useless. Their whole build up to the goal was a joke, certain their bloke pushed himself into Sinclair and jumped to the floor. Didn't look a free kick to me. Then awful defending for the set piece and only god knows how that crossed the line, it defies the laws of physics! Charlton playing like it's a non contact sport, every time the touch someone they're jumping on the floor.

Looked fairly even up until the goal and then Charlton took control. Not good enough. Rubbish line up too, no idea what DC is up to. We can only hope Charlton tire 2nd half going down to 10 men so early.

 

[Bobbin']

That is just class Charlton.

Beating a team with similar aspirations to ourselves whilst playing the entire game with 10 men is superb. Great start.

 

[Gassy]

Not good enough today. Number 11 for Charlton is a little sh*t - always annoying when they're good too. Number 14 for them looked lively in the first half too.

2nd half we dominated but frankly did nothing. Can't remember their keeper being challenged at all. We are in desperate need of a good striker. Charlton weren't exactly good, but they were bloody well organized so credit for that - especially being down to 10 men from the 6th minute roughly.

I'd say it was an even game and a draw was fair but considering we have an extra player for nearly the whole game, a deserved win for Charlton. Very disappointed with our line up, tactics and strike force. Our defense looked decent apart from the goal which was back to non league defending.

 

[Lance Stoe]

Buy Madden of us please

 

[Bobbin']

Fair comments Gassy but sounds like your players are just as guilty of going down easily.

"Sometimes, it’s simulation that’s got him sent off, personally. Three or four times their players went down and didn't get booked. I thought we were stamping that out in this country? I’ll speak to the referee."

 

[miagsygas]

It seems like we decide to leave our horrific performances specifically for Charlton. Terrible today. Don't think it went in but still didn't deserve anything from the game even with the man advantage

 

[Super_horns]

Karl Robinson complaining about refs?

Well you can tell the football season has started!

 

[miagsygas]

Karl Robinson complaining about refs?

Well you can tell the football season has started!

I did just have a look at his quotes, I haven't seen the decision for the red and at the time I thought it was a booking, but saying:

“Sometimes, it’s simulation that’s got him sent off, personally."

Followed by:

“The player was just doing his job, he’d been hurt and stayed down. I think he knew it was a firm tackle. But I’ve told my players to go in firm, I won’t tell them to stop tackling. It’s what we've been brought up on."

Doesn't quite seem to add up.

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

That never went close to going over the line did it?