Charlton’s topsy-turvy season comes to an end
this weekend, when Bristol City become the final team making the trip to SE7 for 2012/13. Although both side’s destiny is sealed, to say it will be a game of little importance is far from the truth.
The Addicks are on an excellent run of form and will be looking to cap and impressive run-in, while in the process adding the cherry to the Bristol City’s relegation cake. Three home wins on the trot precede Saturday’s afternoon’s match-up for Chris Powell’s men and against the side with the worst away record in the division, the gaffer will be looking to confirm 9th place with another three points.
By contrast the Robins of Bristol, playing for pride, will aim to bow out in style and give their travelling fans something to cheer about as they prepare for life in League One. Despite propping up this season’s table, Sean O’Driscoll’s side possess some considerable talent in their ranks, the most notable of which is forward Sam Baldock. Alongside last summer’s Charlton transfer target is tricky winger Albert Adomah and with both players sure to be targeted by Championship rivals over the summer, you might expect the game at the Valley to be their last in a Bristol City shirt.
Despite calls for numerous youth players to get an appearance under their belts, Chris Powell will be expected to remain professional and it is hard to see any more than three changes to the starting line-up, depending on the fitness of midfield duo Jackson and Hughes, as well as the conundrum up front where Powell must decide if Jonathan Obika has done enough to force his way into the starting XI. On the bench is where you may see the majority of changes with Michael Smith, Kevin Feely, Nick Pope, Ade Azeez and Jordan Cousins most likely to get nods however, with only seven places on the bench, expect only two or three to be picked.
With a terrible away record throughout the season, Bristol City will be hard pushed to score more than a solitary goal this weekend, whilst struggling to keep out the Addicks at the other end. All the form guides point to only one result, and that is a fairly comfortable home win to send the Valley fans home happy for the summer. Having said that, we wish Bristol City all the best for next season and hope to see them back in the Championship, sooner rather than later.
On the final weekend of the season, you’d be forgiven for thinking that most games are stuck in a similar position that of the Valley meeting. You would, however, be wrong. Nine of the twelve games to be played on Saturday will have some sort of issue riding on them, whether it’s promotion, play-off chasing or relegation fighting and relegation fighting is where we start. Barnsley lie in 22nd position in the Championship but know that a win will see them leapfrog their hosts Huddersfield on goal difference and to safety. In turn, Huddersfield need only a point to confirm their Championship status for next season.
Peterborough sit on the same points total as Barnsley as with a tricky tie away to play-off chasing Crystal Palace, you imagine they would be hoping for a couple of results to go their way on Saturday to help
them out. A win for the Posh would also confirm their place in the Championship next year, while Crystal Palace will be hoping to stamp their name on their currently occupied 5th spot and see them safely through to the play-offs. Two other unlikely candidates for final day relegation are Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday who travel to Derby and host Middlesbrough respectively. Although it would require a number of other results going against them, relegation is still a distinct possibility and they’ll be hoping to record three points to decide their own fates.
At the top of the table, 2nd placed Hull City host the Champions of Cardiff City. A win for Steve Bruce’s men means that they will be joining Malky Mackay’s Cardiff in the Premier League next season, whilst any other result leaves the door open for Watford who welcome Leeds United to Vicarage Road. Sitting comfortably in midtable, Brian McDermott will be hoping his relati
vely new Leeds team can upset the odds, and postpone Watford’s promotion dream for a while yet.
Sitting just behind both Hull and Watford in the table are Brighton. A late season run has seen the Seagulls sneak in the back door of the play-offs and had their run come a tad sooner, they could’ve been in contention for automatic promotion. Nonetheless, fans at the Amex Stadium will be delighted as they welcome Dean Saunders’ Wolves. A team who have their fate all but sealed, nothing but three points and a five goal swing will do for the team in gold to survive.
Hoping to crash Crystal Palace’s play-off party will be Bolton, managed by Palace legend Dougie Freedman, alongside Nottingham Forest and Leicester. Whilst Bolton host local rivals Blackpool, a straight shoot-out between Forest and the Foxes at the City Ground could decide the final play-off place in either Bolton or Crystal Palace’s absence.
Alongside the Addicks match, Burnley welcome Ipswich and Birmingham host Blackburn in two games with have no bearing on the fate of the six teams involved. All six know the leagues in which they will be plying their trade next season. Let’s hope for a big home win to send the fans home happy for summer and we’ll surely be back again when the new season comes around. Come on you Reds!
CM